Charlie Hutton’s blog: learning to drive and forgetting to ride
On Tuesday I did my final HGV assessment drive so was able to send my completed portfolio to the DVLA. Because I’m taking my HGV test early on a government scheme, I have to complete an NVQ in driving as well. That covers the reasons for me to be taking the test early.
I haven’t found it terribly hard, I think I’m quite a natural driver; I’ve been driving farm equipment since I was about three. Driving a lorry doesn’t faze you when you’re used to a dodgy tractor and a trailer with a squiffy wheel.
I went for a run on Wednesday to get fit for Somerford Park premier league. I’ve always enjoyed running, I did a lot more at school and would love to run the London marathon but it’s just not feasible to find time to fit all the training in.
Somerford was good, though, having said last week in my blog that I’d been unbeaten on Nemo in young rider classes recently, I promptly got beaten by Rebecca Drane. I think I jinxed myself! Hopefully that was just a blip. He was still good though, as were Ollie (in the inter II and grand prix) and Zep (in the young horse classes).
I went in with Ollie behind Carl Hester on Liebling. I’d seen him forget his rein-back and was so pleased with myself for not forgetting mine that I totally forgot what I was meant to do next, so I went wrong!
There must have been 40 in the young horse class and although Zep wasn’t placed I was really pleased with how he went. Everyone’s producing such quality young horses these days and since top pros aren’t allowed to ride at novice there’s nothing else they can enter to get their horses in the ring. I guess that’s why they’re so popular now.
Till next week,
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Charlie
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
