Carriage Driving
Swingletree Stables is located on the Norfolk/Suffolk boarders, roughly half way between Ipswich and Norwich, about 8 miles from the market town of Diss. Swingletree has over 30 horses and ponies and 70 acres of off-road driving facilities, plus quiet country lanes. Wingfield is noted for its rural aspect, despite being only about 15 minutes from the A140. Owner John Parker has been Chairman of the British Driving Society since 1997. John is one of the world's leading experts in carriage horse driving, and represented Britain 12 times in World and European Horse Driving Trials. He is probably best known for driving the famous Norwich/London Royal Mail Coach, for which he holds 2 world records. At Swingletree, you can learn to drive singles, pairs and teams of horses, and tuition is offered at all levels, from complete beginner to competition and commercial level. Staff are friendly, qualified and experienced. Swingletree also runs residential Summer Camps for young people during the holidays. John Parker and Susan Townsend are both BDS Approved Light Harness Horse Instructors and All-Test Assessors. Learning to drive can just be for fun, or lead to Equine Vocational Qualifications, which are nationally recognised. John Parker is also a Member of the Society of Expert Witnesses, providing expert witness services for legal issues relating to horses. Swingletree has a unique collection of antique carriages, including the original Norwich to London Royal Mail Coach, and a wide range of modern vehicles which are used for teaching. Swingletree has a rein-handling machine to help novices get to grips with the basics. The horses and ponies range from 16.2hh+ Coach horses to Welsh Section A A's, and include the famous A Santa's Sleigh' ponies which are featured at Olympia each Christmas.
John Parker, LHHI (proprietor) 01 379 384 496. john@swingletree.co.uk. johnparkerequine@aol.com
Susan Townsend, LHHI ( Partner) 01 379 384 496. Susan@swingletree.co.uk
Stephanie Evans ( Education and Expert Witness Services) 01 379 388 314. bdseducation@aol.com
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