One of the most memorable Welsh section As ever campaigned on the private driving circuit has died at the age of 25.

Thistledown Eric, owned by the Salter family and driven by Nicola Salter, was twice British Driving Society (BDS) national champion, once at Burghley and once at Towerlands, and took the private driving championship at most of the county shows, including the Royal Welsh.

The grey gelding was a chance find who was first spotted on an allotment local to the Salter’s Nottinghamshire home but went from his humble start to a high-profile career.

“We were driving home one day when we came off one of the major roads near us and cut through a village where there were some little allotments. One had been fenced into a little pony paddock, with cabbages one side and runner beans the other, and as we passed slowly Malcolm [husband] said ‘what a pretty pony, isn’t he lovely’,” Nicola said.

“We had often bought a pony, broken it to harness and then sold it on and when we bought the next local free ad paper, we were looking through and there was this grey Welsh section A. We knew the phone number was local and we said ‘wouldn’t it be spooky if that is the pony we’ve just seen’ and lo and behold, it was. We went to look at him and brought him home.”

Nicola and Malcolm had planned to break Eric to harness and then sell him on after a year, as they knew a local young driver who they thought he might suit. But when the three-year-old pony arrived home, their son Oliver asked to keep him.

“He said he had always wanted a little grey to show in hand, so I said ‘OK’,” Nicola said.

Oliver showed him locally in hand for a summer but once the pony was broken to harness he started to shine.

“I never regretted a day of that decision!” Nicola said. “Some of our happiest memories as a family were days spent showing Eric.

“He met The Queen on three occasions. We’d met her when we won the Welsh championship at Windsor and then when we were showing at the Great Yorkshire a few weeks later, she asked to meet the private driving class.

“She came over to Eric and said ‘I’ve seen this pony before haven’t I?’”, so she had remembered him.”

Eric stood out for his particularly impressive extended trot, which often outshone much larger horses in the ring.

“We never did anything to enhance his paces, other than get him fit and muscled up, it was all naturally him,” Nicola said. “He was a bit of a freak. I have never seen another Welsh section A like that.”

Eric retired from driving as a single at the age of 13, having also stood reserve BDS national champion twice and appeared at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) on six occasions — although that title eluded him as HOYS was “a bit too exciting for him”.

Because of the acclaim Eric had brought to the Thistledown Stud, breeder Sandy Anderson offered the Salters the chance to chose another pony of his to compete.

They took another gelding, Thistledown Prado, and tried them as a pair and in tandem with a view to returning to the ring, but he was never able to match Eric’s incredible action.

“I would have loved for it to have happened but Eric’s attitude was ‘I can do this, I don’t need him!” Nicola said.

Eric was put down in May owing to complications linked to the onset of Cushing’s disease (PPID).

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“He had been absolutely fine until the last few weeks, he was the same independent, awkward character who ruled us at home,” Nicola said.

“If you turned him out in bad weather he would call to be brought back in but on a nice day, he was such a little monster you couldn’t catch him.

“He’d been really fit and well and showing off but in the last month I could see he was unhappy and he’d always been such a happy little chap who was always pleased to see you that I knew it was the right time.”

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From the wagons and carriages of TV period dramas to the exhilaration of competitive scurry driving, there’s something very compelling about carriage driving. The discipline involves vehicles being pulled by a either single horse, a pair (two horses, side-by-side), a tandem (two horses, one behind the other) or four-in-hand (four horses in two pairs). While you’ll need either a lot of experience or a lot of expert help to break your own horse(s) to harness, many driving societies run ‘taster days’ when you can find out for yourself how it feels to hold the reins.

Jo Broadbent (pictured) of Fenix carriage and driving centre is a former open single horse British national champion and started driving around 25 years ago.

“I was involved with horses from a young age and had regular riding lessons as a child before becoming involved with driving by helping a friend who needed a passenger,” she says. “I soon became hooked on the driving rather than the riding and would spend all of my spare time helping and learning about the sport. I absolutely love it. Every day you learn something new, the challenges are endless and the sense of achievement with competitive driving can be huge, especially when you and your team are focused and on form.”

If you’re already a rider, then you have a head start when it comes to trying driving. Angela Flanagan has represented Britain at the World Carriage Driving Championships with both singles and pairs, and is currently a member of the British Carriage Driving Council.

“In my experience as a coach, those who have ridden tend to find the transition to driving easier than a non-rider, as they have a basic understanding of rein handling and also understand how the horse or pony is likely to react to certain situations,” she says.

Jo adds: “In my opinion, the bond you have with a driving horse is just as strong as with a riding horse. The only connection with your driving equine is your voice and the rein. Riders can take their seat for granted sometimes and underestimate the connection and feel you have through it. As drivers we have to have the confidence and trust without that connection. Driving horses, especially team/tandem leaders are a long way from the driver so a mutual trust and respect is essential.”

If you’re keen to try driving, both Jo and Angela recommend trying a taster session first, then a course of several lessons to learn safe practice.

“If you get hooked, then your coach or trainer will be able to advise how best to proceed from there,” says Jo. “Breaking or buying your own driving horse or pony and investing in equipment for driving can be expensive, so take your time and get advice. Remember that cheap harness and bargain internet buy carriages are almost always a false economy, and can even be dangerous. Good quality second-hand equipment can be an economical way to get started but again, but do get advice on correct fit and suitability. There are starter kits out there, but take your time to decide which type of driving you want to get involved with before buying kit that might not be suitable for what you want to do. If you don’t want to own your own turnout, regular lessons with a driving centre’s turnout can be very rewarding without the cost of owning.

“The beauty of driving is that there are lots of ways of being involved without the cost and ties of owning — for example, back stepping or grooming can be great fun and rewarding. There are plenty of drivers looking for help, and joining a local British Driving Society area or driving trials group will be a good way of meeting drivers and learning about what’s involved.”

“All of our British Carriage Driving clubs run their own training clinics, some of which are specifically for beginners,” adds Angela. “It’s always a good idea to go along to a club event to watch and learn about the discipline and meet and get to know people. Driving is a very sociable activity and you’ll soon find yourself getting involved.

To find details of events in your area, visit the British Carriage Driving website or search for carriage driving club Facebook pages in your local area. British Carriage Driving are planning to run a nationwide series of taster days in 2019, keep an eye on the website for details.

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Driving is popular and pairs particularly so. A local taster day focusing on finding out about driving an experienced Shetland pair attracted a record number of junior and adult drivers, keen to learn and take up the reins.

The day was organised by the local branch of the British Driving Society but similar days are also hosted by clubs affiliated to British Carriagedriving and lessons with a pair can be arranged at an approved centre or with a qualified coach.

Welsh driver Wendy Morris kindly brought along her well established pair who she has driven for many years as pair and tandem and more recently as wheelers for her Shetland team. The two ponies are affectionately known as “The Cherubs” have been involved in fancy dress fundraising for the Welsh children’s cancer charity LATCH, as well as excelling in many a show ring and earning Wendy her coveted tandem bars.

Shetlands — being small but exceptionally strong – are ideal to pair up, as then they can take several adults out driving even over hilly terrain. Wendy has completed many drives and driven Trec events easily completing eight miles over the Welsh hills.

The pair, and team, have also enjoyed indoor and outdoor club driving trials.

After finding out about the ponies, the eager learners at the training day were able to harness up and long rein with Wendy alongside advising.

According to her “fit bit” Wendy walked more than four miles during the hour long session. Long reining is so useful in getting the feel of the pair and the knack of keeping them together — especially on the turns where the outside pony must make up ground compared to the inside pony, yet keep calm and focused. This was also a useful time to establish the voice commands that the ponies were used to. Smiles grew more and more broad as the long reiners gained confidence.

The ponies and Wendy then enjoyed a well earned break while everyone had lunch watching the useful DVD “Double Up!” by Jane MacInnes.

After this everyone drove well-schooled single ponies to improve rein handling, transitions and smooth turns before having a good go at driving the pair. Wendy sat alongside to give advice and had ultimate control with dual reins. However she found her learners so attentive that she was able to let them keep control while walking, trotting, halting and changing the rein.

The atmosphere was amazing and progress very positive. Pairs for pleasure driving and competitive driving is truly satisfying and rewarding. Everyone was buzzing with excitement from the experience and all agreed Shetland pony pairs are a lot of fun!

Emily

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After all of our exciting plans to take the national circuit by storm I’ve had a very quiet couple of months recovering from our tip up at Keysoe.

At least Alfie was OK and our back specialist was amazed when he checked him over that nothing had been pulled. My backstepper and I weren’t so fortunate and are still nursing our injuries.

Although I’m still meant to be on crutches I have been determined to get back into driving and took Alfie to my second British Young Drivers (BYD) training session with Boyd Exell at the end of May. As this is subsidised as part of the Advanced Young Drivers squad, I really couldn’t afford to lose my place.

We worked on dressage, obstacles and cones at the equestrian centre at Onley and I managed to join in for the majority of it. Obviously the biggest thing for me was to regain my confidence driving the obstacles and Boyd was definitely pushing me on from the start urging me to go for it at full gallop!

After a steady drive through we were soon cantering forward confidently and really covering the ground. Boyd urged me to keep the power on through the turns and allow Alfie to keep on moving forwards and not keep checking him back. Alfie was, as ever, smooth and responsive and I was very proud of him.

I hadn’t been able to drive Alfie at any trials type competitions since Keysoe and it felt great to be working properly together again, even though I suffered for it big time afterwards as bracing in the carriage requires a lot of pressure through the legs — especially with the manoeuvres at speed we practised with Boyd. In fact on the second day I had to sit out the obstacle driving and just drove the cones. I have the same problem at home as our hills are so steep there is a lot of strain on my injured leg when driving so a friend has kindly taken Alfie for ridden fitness sessions and he has enjoyed being under saddle again.

This time last year a university friend rode him in some British Dressage (BD) competitions and qualified for the Welsh Championships. This time around he has been doing interval training and enjoying hacking out up and down our hills where he is seeing the mountainous scenery from a new blinkerless perspective!

A worthwhile trip

The season was well underway without having driven in any outdoor HDT competitions, let alone qualifiers, so I entered Sandringham, as this was where we were scheduled to have further training from Boyd actually at the event. It is also one of the flatter marathons which would help me and of course Alfie, who had been working under saddle rather than pulling the carriage.

The day before the dressage Boyd worked us hard practising our test and was very complimentary. What a fantastic boost that gave us! There were a few hiccups on the day. The lamp brackets were nowhere to be found thus throwing away precious marks for presentation and due to a timing blip Boyd was still coaching other BYDs when he was due to be going through the warm-up with Alfie and I. But I tried to focus on calm preparation and building on what we had discussed the day before. In fact, Boyd arrived in time to watch my test so I benefitted from a debrief instead. When the scores were announced I was thrilled to find I was in second place, less than a penalty behind the leader.

Dad has been a lifesaver and got hold of a small quadbike for me to take to events so I can get about more easily, and my doctor has sent in a request that I be allowed to drive the obstacles rather than physically hobble around.

We had a course walk with Boyd which provided good insights into possible routes. I was prepared to take Alfie very steadily, aware that he might find the distance and eight obstacles hard going. I

hoped to take him around all three phases but was resigned to adjusting to what I could cope with too and if this meant pulling out of the marathon part way through then so be it!

It was wonderful to have experienced backstepper Vicky Irwin on board who had volunteered to partner us at Sandringham. It was one of the rare occasions when I had someone at a national who could confirm routes in the obstacles, which took a lot of pressure off as Alfie wasn’t hanging around!

I was so pleased with his attitude as he really listened while being very keen. I like to choose a flowing smooth option and in hindsight should have kept to my original route in some obstacles where the route Boyd recommended was tight — more suitable for the shorter coupled ponies than my long lad. Otherwise Alfie’s times were very good with second place in four of the obstacles.

The open pony was a big, strong class with eight experienced entries and it was beyond my wildest hopes to be going into the final phase just one ball away from second place.

Going in reverse order it was apparent that people were struggling to make the time on the technical course and nobody had gone clear. It was all to play for and Alfie flew round the course for me, easily making the time but sadly we tapped one ball. Would this be enough to go up to second overall? Yes! Although we each had three penalties for a knocked ball, time penalties were incurred and in fact we won the cones phase!

What a great outcome, as we also secured our qualifier to take part in the National HDT Championships at Cirencester in September. Happy days!

Emily

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Trehewyd Brenin Arthur — one of the most successful private driving ponies of the past decade — has been put down after collapsing at home on Monday (20 April).

The 18-year-old Welsh section C won the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) harness championship on three occasions with owner Nigel Fuller, taking the title in 2006, 2007 (pictured below) and 2010.

Well-regarded for his easy temperament, exemplary looks and eye-catching extensions, the gelding was prolifically successful in the show ring, securing many major driving titles including the British Driving Society Annual at Smiths Lawn. He was also partnered to numerous young driver successes by Nigel’s niece Oakley and pupil Angus Rowe before switching to driving trials two years ago.

“He was a once-in-a-lifetime horse,” said Nigel, who bought the pony as a six-year-old after spotting him being exercised on local roads. “He was a really special person who did it all so effortlessly. He went on to prove it was possible to do two disciplines successfully.”

After retiring from the show ring, the drive was handed over to Minta Winn, who took the pony on to a new career at the age of 16. Last year he took his first advanced pony win in the national driving trial at Lowther.

“After his marathon at Lowther I could’ve stopped driving right then and there because I had the best drive of my life,” said Minta. “He was looking fantastic and he loved the job.”

Following a run of form, British team selection had been firmly in their sights this season.

“We competed at the weekend and he was just awesome. I thought ‘we’ve cracked it, bring on the worlds’ [championships],” said Minta. “On Monday morning he came out a bit stiff, which you’d expect in an 18-year-old, so I turned him out for a bit in the sunshine and kept an eye on him.

“I thought he didn’t look happy so I went to bring him in, he came round the corner and his back legs gave way,” she explained. “We called the vet and when he did an internal it looked like everything had flipped over and wasn’t where it should be. We got him relaxed and rehydrated him but he collapsed again and we decided it was best to put him down.”

She added: “It took a long time to get into his inner circle but when you were in you were there. He drew everybody in, everybody knew him and wanted to watch him.”

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I was thrilled to be one of the British Young Drivers (BYD) who were shortlisted for the first weekend’s session of training with World Champion Boyd Exell.

We had the most amazing weekend at the Unicorn Equestrian Centre, Stow on the World. It’s true to say that Boyd brought out the best in the BYDs!

Each session was tailored to suit the individual drivers and their horses. This was my first time with Welsh Section D Alfie and immediately Boyd was suggesting ways to improve his way of going.

Bitting is a key factor for Boyd and after some experimentation we found a bit that made a huge difference to Alfie, allowing him to soften but still go forward.

The young drivers are a friendly and generous group and I was able to find our dream bit thanks to Rosanna (a fellow BYD) lending me the specialised bit she uses with her World silver medal Welsh D Bailey. Needless to say I have now ordered one and can’t wait for it to arrive from Germany!

It was a busy, action packed weekend with our initial individual sessions followed by a cones session.

Boyd’s aim was for us to be forward, regular and rhythmic. To encourage us to focus on the skill aspect of cones driving we swapped over turnouts and could try an unknown horse on the course. This was interesting and worthwhile. It also gave me the opportunity to observe Alfie being driven which is always enlightening. In other sessions my kind volunteer BYD backstepper Alice Stables had a short turn driving so I could watch from the ground while Boyd gave commentary.

Everyone benefitted from being able to watch all the lessons Boyd taught over the weekend.

The evening involved group work designing obstacles which we got to drive around the next day. I was thrilled with how Alfie took up the contact and responded to Boyd’s suggestions for encouraging him to go forward while making the turns. I was amazed that we were only two seconds adrift of the fastest time out of all the BYDs!

Disaster strikes

I have had a lot of success with Alfie in outdoor national trials, but after our training feel very confident in the tighter indoor spaces and so I took him to the indoor championships at Keysoe instead of my lovely Welsh Section C Mr J.

I was delighted with his performance and his willing, focussed attitude. I was especially pleased with his paces which for the first seven movements gained eights. Eight was the highest mark that was awarded for paces at the championships so to get a long run of them was wonderful! He also showed just how nimble and responsive he is in the cones and obstacles.

However our championship hopes were not to be; we were lying in a close third position heading into the final phase, but unfortunately we tipped up in obstacle one so our competition ended there. It’s sadly just one of those things. Alfie was flying and luckily was absolutely fine. We were rather battered, though relieved we were wearing our body protectors. Clare, my kind backstepper sadly broke her arm and we both hurt our left legs (a matching pair now both getting frustrated on box rest!). Despite all this, Clare’s daughter Melita bravely carried on and finished in fourth in a very competitive junior class.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their kindness, support and offers of help. We even received even offers of driving the lorry home after my dad twisted his knee doing his Colin Jackson impression hurdling the partition. Driving really is a lovely, friendly sport and everyone’s kindness really is very much appreciated!

As I want to compete Alfie nationally in the outdoor trials, indoor work is useful technical preparation prior to building up greater stamina and fitness. After interrupted training due to my university commitments, I hope to focus on driving this year and am setting high goals to improve on past performances and achieve consistently good scores in all three phases. Despite our setback, I’m determined to get back to it as soon as possible.

A flash new addition

Excellent equipment is so invaluable and as well as my German bit, I am thrilled with the support my horses have from Equilbrium Products, who supply massage equipment and breathable boots. These give me the confidence to push on over the courses knowing the horses are receiving great protection from injury and sprains. I am very grateful for their sponsorship.

I now have my wonderful new carriage, the three phase Revolution, which was designed by talented engineer and generous sponsor Simon Willis to fit my 14.2hh Alfie as well as my 13hh Welsh Section C. It is amazing at holding the ground at speed with very little sideways slip on even the tightest turns and its innovative design allows the horse to maximise its forward momentum. It drives like a dream and I cannot wait to get going on the outdoor marathon courses with such an awesome vehicle. With this carriage, my new bit and all the extra schooling tips I hope this will be my best year yet of competition!

The British Young Drivers organisation is outstanding in the opportunities it gives to young drivers. Thanks to sponsorship by British Carriagedriving, Baileys Horse Feeds, The Worshipful Company of Saddlers and generous individuals, we have training that most of us could not otherwise afford at the annual Easter camps and summer camps, our National Young Driver Championships and now the Boyd Excel Talent Programme.

The training progression is built in to take young drivers to the very top of their sport against the adults nationally and internationally. I can’t wait for the next training sessions and the competition circuit this year!

Emily

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Carriage driving as a sport offers tremendous training opportunities for young participants.

Those interested in traditional driving are supported by initiatives run by the British Driving Society (BDS) and for those keen on driving trials and sports driving, British Carriagedriving welcomes all youngsters into BYDS ( British Young Drivers).

As a young driver who competes equally with both organisations, I would thoroughly recommend participating in as much training as you can — you will find both organisations provide amazing value.

The activities offered include residential camps with excellent training and, coming up shortly is one no young driver will want to miss — the well established and popular Easter camp held at the Unicorn Trust, near Stow on the Wold.

It’s worth noting you can benefit from BYD training up to the age of 30 — although most are aged under 25. Due to the popularity and success of BYD training camps, many young drivers now compete in driving trials nationally and internationally.

Of course, others are just starting out and developing skills at club level with the greatest support and encouragement.

Everyone enjoys amazing facilities — the use of the outdoor and huge indoor arena where training sessions are run by top national coaches. The horses have first class accommodation in the immaculate stables, while the young drivers and their back-up crews are pampered with cooked meals.

As well as driving sessions, there are discussions and driving talks on key aspects of horse care, sports psychology and preparing for competition.

Camp is very friendly and a great way to meet up with young drivers from all over the country. There is even a “buddy system” where a young driver volunteers to share their turnout — thus enabling someone to drive even if they don’t have a horse of their own.

Youngsters who are not yet driving, but are keen to find out what it’s all about are welcome and pay a lower “on-foot” rate.

Camp training is subsidised heavily by Baileys Horse Feeds, which keeps costs as low as possible, while membership to BYDS is free. BYDS has a further camp during the summer holidays — normally at Ashfields Driving Centre with its wonderful national outdoor facilities and marathon obstacle course including a big water obstacle (pictured below).

Exciting training opportunities

This year there are further exciting developments within BYDS with the Boyd Exell talent programme, offering training for advanced young drivers. I have been lucky enough to be invited to take my pony to the first training weekend at The Unicorn Trust. I am incredibly excited about this and the prospect of coaching from the world indoor and outdoor champion. This will definitely be the subject of one of my next blogs!

The driving groups are always looking for ways to encourage youngsters into their sport. This year for the first time at a national driving trial organised by British Carriagedriving, there will be a special class for young drivers who have not competed above novice level at a regional or national driving trial.

The spring event at Catton Park (8-10 May) will give the less experienced BYDS the opportunity to compete on the national course alongside the adult competitors for the cones, but with a different dressage test and only section B of the marathon. The steep hill obstacle is omitted for all competitors as it is early in the season.

The young driver class competition will run as a two-day event with dressage and marathon on Saturday and cones on Sunday for all. There is a very special discounted rate for them and special commemorative rosettes to all competing in the class, with the 12-14 age group earning extra recognition.

Drivers like myself, taking part in the national class, will be very happy to help the young drivers with course walking and settling into the big event. It’s a great initiative and will hopefully be well supported to encourage other organisers to run similar classes.

Plenty up for grabs

The BDS also has national schemes in place to support young drivers up to the age of 18. Osborne qualifiers for young drivers in two age categories (10-14 years and 15-18 years) offer young drivers keen on showing the opportunity to compete in either exercise or traditional vehicles and qualify for the national championships in designated young driver classes.

Shows are also encouraged to put on junior classes and to award best junior rosettes in open classes. The society also provides a smart rosette for the best junior driver at any affiliated show, whether a local or county level outing.

BDS schemes run annually to reward youngsters for taking part in the full range of driving activities and the National Brian Sims Award provides generous bursaries for those who are exceptional in their traditional driving skills and knowledge.

Membership of the BDS is amazing value at just £15 a year.

Training is offered within the individual BDS areas as well as at national BDS camps for the regions — Wales, Ireland, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

As the newly appointed BDS commissioner for young drivers, I am very keen to develop the network for young drivers within the organisation — especially with regard to regular training opportunities and to ensure these are well publicised. There are some exciting developments in the pipeline.

Adult drivers can be forgiven for envying the youngsters with all these fabulous opportunities!

For the young at heart, but less young in body, there are also excellent training and camps available — a future blog will look into these.

Emily

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One of Britain’s top horse four-in-hand driver Georgina Hunt (pictured) is to quit the sport after almost 30 years competing horse and pony teams.

The 45-year-old pharmacist cited financial reasons as a primary factor, but said there were “a lot of layers” to the decision.

“Sponsorship might have been a way forward, but it is difficult to attract sponsors to driving in Britain as there is not much to offer them,” she said. “We’ve had a bit of a breakdown of the circuit with the loss of some dates.”

Following a concerted two-year campaign for this year’s World Equestrian Games (WEG), at which she finished 24th with her team of black Gelderlanders, she admitted that frustrations over what was achievable for British-based drivers had also played a part.

“I thought I knew what it took to improve by the 5pen necessary to become world class, but there were a lot of barriers, from the quality of horses, time required for training and the competition scene in Britain,” she said. “It was out of my league as an amateur and I got as far as I could, but I couldn’t see myself breaking into the top echelon.”

Georgina started driving a pony team in 1986, and was a seven-time national champion and three-time European champion before switching to horses in 2000. She has been the best-performing British horse fours driver on the national circuit in recent seasons, frequently finishing in the runner-up spot behind world champion, Australian Boyd Exell.

Most of her team will now be sold off, with one of her six horses having already gone to a new home.

“I don’t think I’ll give up entirely. I’ve already been out indoors with a single,” she added. “I might also just be a Pony Club mum for a few years.”

As well as a loss for the British squad, her retirement will also be a loss to the national circuit, which has already witnessed the departure of Boyd Exell this year to a new base in Holland.

Boyd’s move places him in the heart of the continental circuit, where competition is stronger and better supported than in the UK. It’s anticipated that a selection of UK competitors may now base themselves with him for at least part of the season.

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I am tremendously proud and thrilled to have been chosen as the commissioner for junior members for the British Driving Society (BDS) on the recommendation of Caroline Dale Leech, MBE. I am very excited about the opportunities my new role gives me to encourage more young people into driving.

The British Driving Society is an excellent place to introduce your young family members to driving and is incredibly good value at just £15 annual membership for under 18 years. This amazing price covers insurance and quarterly colour magazines as well as the opportunity to join in all the BDS activities.

There is no minimum age for junior membership as by using dual reins a competent adult has the overriding control and even the youngest driver can actually take up the reins – provided they have a secure footrest to brace themselves from tipping forwards.

As well as junior training days and camps there are showing classes, pleasure driving activities and the chance to take part in TREC competitions. Cones driving is very popular and really helps drivers to improve their steering as well as having great fun.

Pony Club training

The new initiatives with the Pony Club means that the BDS will assist any club which is interested in running the two new driving achievement badges. I am sure there are many keen young riders who would go on to try carriage driving if they realised that by joining the BDS they would be able to use schoolmaster turnouts at training days and also enjoy the full range of hands on activities by teaming up with experienced drivers.

There are many examples in the driving world of a keen junior who has been “ adopted” by an older driver who is happy to share their experience and welcomes an extra pair of hands to help with taking out the pony in the carriage.

Some of our most successful current young drivers in the showring and BDS young drivers scholarship scheme use a BDS member’s turnout. Rhian Ralph,17, and Josiah Rowlands have formed such partnerships and each has enjoyed great success and has gone on to win the young drivers class at Addington – the BDS National Championships and the Brian Sims National Scholarship – without their own turnout!

Other youngsters have had their pony club ponies broken to drive and find, as I did, that in driving you can achieve great results through building on a sure foundation of good practice. The BDS provides this excellent grounding and teaches safety and skills that are the building blocks to competence.

A welcoming community

The driving fraternity are extremely welcoming – not only drivers and organisers but the carriage driving press. All the editors are keen to hear about young drivers and support young driver initiatives.

Horse and Hound are also extremely influential and through this blog are actively getting our message out to their worldwide audience of keen equestrians.

Through internet technology we can communicate so easily. Over the months ahead I hope to build up a support network of young drivers and would welcome them and any supporting adults contacting me so we can organise and coordinate activities and build new initiatives for young people in driving.

Get in touch

Why not also drop me a line to let me know what you would like to do and achieve. I am here to help and very keen to build up the young drivers network and be your voice within the driving community.

Please contact me by email at EmilyRHam@gmail.com

Remember it’s only £15 for junior membership so why not get membership sorted for the coming year by contacting The British Driving Society, Eadersley, Church St, Wingfield, Eye, Sussex, IP21 5QZ; calling 01379 394612 or download the membership form from their website.

If you join the British Driving Society now for 2015 you also get the rest of this year free. What other Christmas gift could be better value?

Emily

Read more of Emily’s blogs:

Emily Ham’s driving blog: Challenging tests, triumph for Mr J and Halloween fun

H&H’s driving blogger has had an exciting October with the start of the indoor driving trials season

Emily Ham’s driving blog: A sport of variety

H&H’s blogger reflects on the diversity of driving competitions and driven Trec

Emily Ham’s driving blog: World Championship success

Horse & Hounds driving blogger has returned from an exciting run at the World Championships for Scurry and Trials

Emily Ham’s driving blog: the big event approaches!

H&H’s driving blogger and the Welsh team are preparing for the fast-approaching World Scurry and Trials Championship

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

It’s the time of year when you notice just how many different driving activities there are with national championships in so many categories including pleasure, sports driving and showing. It brings home to me that I have missed so much driving this year working hard on my MSc and dissertation right up until a couple of weeks ago.

As a short break I was able to get to the driving trials national championships which were held at a new venue at Cirencester. Although I qualified with Alfie, I took Mr J as he had performed so well in the World Championship Scurry & Trials the week before. Moreover, Mr J had competed in my new Revolution carriage, which I wanted to showcase at the championships for British Carriagedriving and use for all three phases.

I drove my dressage in the early morning mist and was pleased with our performance, especially as it was Mr J’s only dressage test this year. Tony Mould’s lovely test put him well ahead of the field in our open pony class but second to fifth were closely grouped and so lying fifth we were well in touch for the rest of the competition.

I was feeling very positive about the marathon, the obstacles would suit Mr J well and cones is always our best phase. Imagine my disappointment when I had to withdraw due to problems at home in Wales after the night’s heavy storm. Oh well – it’s all to play for next year when I hope I can really focus on both my ponies through the season and get to lots of driving events.

The British Driving Society Championships at Addington featured top drivers of the showing scene with traditional vehicles and well-filled exercise classes. Several junior drivers from my local British Driving Society (BDS) area took part. Our most experienced is 17-year-old Rhian Ralph who has had an amazing season driving Anthea Birch’s lovely Section C Merlin (Penclose Wotsit).

I have competed with Rhian and Anthea for the past seven years and seen them progress from a 12hh section A ,Toddi, put to a Bellcrown carriage, to private driving classes with a small country vehicle. Over those years Rhian has won numerous junior whip classes culminating in the championship at Smiths Lawn and the presentation by the Queen.

Since upsizing several years ago, Rhian is a serious force to be reckoned with on the showing circuit in adult classes. It has been exciting being part of their project to get Merlin going well for driven showing. This year they have been very successful with a lovely Norfolk cart with many local championships. It was wonderful to end the season winning the National Junior Championships for 15 -17 year olds and coming second in the country vehicle class at Addington.

The Welsh Trec Championships are coming up and offer yet another form of driving competition. This is perfect for the day-to-day driver who wants to show practical skills in a less pressurised event than trials, scurry or showing.

Driven Trec is very popular in Wales and each BDS area holds an event with qualifiers for the annual Welsh championship. For more information on this enjoyable activity please see my blog from 18 April on Trec.

This year the championships are being held at Pembrey Country Park in South Wales so the drive and orienteering will encompass the wonderful scenery of parkland, lanes and coast with driving on the beach. The skills phase involves some cones and hazards but as it is judged on skill and obedience not speed it is far removed from fast paced action of the two recent scurry championships and scurry and trials. Any type of equine and any driver can enjoy and succeed at Trec.

But the excitement of fast competition driving is not over! As some driving ponies are turned away or prepare for a winter season of pleasure driving others, like Alfie and Mr J, are all set for an exciting indoor season of one-day driving trials which has already started!

Emily

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

BDS SURREY Horton Country Park, Epsom, 8 July

in hand (C Douglas)— 1, L Cook’s Cui Ellen; 2, C Chidwick’s Dunkery Skylark. young driver— 1, M Herriot’s Charlie Boy (L MacKenzie); 2, K Aburrow’s Parc Cadno; 3, B Jones’s Puddingwood Socks (A Jones). exercise vehicles four wheels— 1 & ch, H Stinson’s Firsedge Zircon; 2, E Thompson’s Cortaflex Benny; 3, S Bone’s Brookfield Budweiser. two wheels— 1 & ch, V Walker’s Suki; 2, M Ingram’s Springmead Aberdare. nov horse/pony— 1, J Rowe’s Acro Adventure; 2, Parc Cadno; 3, Suki. pleasure driving two wheel— 1, M Saunder’s Rocking Rolo; 2, Springmead Aberdare; 3, Suki. m&m— 1, Firsedge Zircon; 2, N Horwood’s An Toiseach Of Tomfada & Toiseach Silver; 3, G Brownrigg’s Leith Maestro. light trade four wheel— 1, C Fountain’s Regency Rocky Boy; 2, J Hyatt’s Richi; 3, M Burgess’s Mitcheltroy King Flyer. two wheel— 1 & ch, T Fountain’s Trixies How’d You Like It; 2, Brookfield Budwwiser; 3, T Jewer’s Pennal Sion. private driving 13.2hh & under— 1, J Vyse’s Tyssul Iceman (G Docking); 2, N Blandin’s Oldmere Jester (K Abburow); 3, Charlie Boy (M Herriot). Surrey area whip— 1, J lewis’s Pentrefelin Madigan; 2, Cortaflex Benny; 3, C Buller’s Bracken. private driving over 13.2hh (A Sinclair)— 1 & res sup, K Rudge’s Mr Paddy; 2, M & E Edmonds’s Parkton Unique (E Edmonds); 3, J Rowe’s Harlington Sapphire. ride & drive— 1, Pentrefelin Madigan; 2, A pritchard’s Northleach Roulette; 3, Stapleford Enchantment (M Kelly & H Kelly). pleasue driving four-wheel— 1, An Toiseach Of Tomfada & Toiseach Silver; 2, Firsedge Zircon; 3, Cortaflex Benny (W Leslie). private drivng Welsh sec A/B/C/D— 1 & sup, Parkton Unique; 2, Oldmere Jester (N Blandin); 3, Tyssul Iceman. Welsh Cobs in wagons— 1, C Meads’s Ciffig Cymro Du (D Thirsting); 2, B Jones’s Cefngelli Councer; 3, T Buckland’s Goldflake.

BDS DEVON Crealy Adventure Park, Devon, 1 July

in-hand (S Wildy)— 1, S Jacobs’s Black Bess. jnr whip— 1, E Ham’s Sparkle & Shine. nov whip non-traditional— 1, P Smith’s Royal. open exercise vehicle non-traditional over 13.2hh— 1 & ch, Royal; 2, S Cogswell’s Jimbo; 3, Black Bess. under 13.2hh— 1 & res, J Green’s Teasel; 2, A McGoun’s Oldmead Peppercorn; 3, E Ham’s Sparkle & Shine. pleasure drive— 1, Teasel; 2, Royal; 3, Black Bess. ride & drive— 1, L James’s Milbrook Park Myfanwy; 2, L & J Pitman’s Rothiemay Olympus. Hackney— 1, J Savill’s Sunbeam Squire. reg m&m— 1 & ch, A Townsend’s Typentre Daffydd Ddu; 2 & res, Milbrook Park Myfanwy; 3, M Bangham’s Saltmarsh Buccaneer. country turnout— 1, Rothiemay Olympus. non-Hackney 13.2hh & under— 1, Saltmarsh Buccaneer. over 13.2hh— 1, Typentre Daffydd Ddu; 2, Milbrook Park

Myfanwy. concours d’elegance— 1, J Savill’s Hurstwood Firecracker.

BDS AREA 10 Shuttleworth Park, Bedfordshire, 8 July

best turnout (J Everton)— 1, R Howitt’s Thorndon Park Telynor (C Moreau); 2, E Day’s Morse; 3, A Howe & A Banks’s Murthwaite Perky (M Taylor). private driving— 1 & res, N & M Fuller’s Trehewyd Brenin Arthur (N Fuller); 2, Thorndon Park Telynor. exercise vehicle— 1, T Howard’s Spider; 2, C Eveleigh’s Chrystal Supreme; 3, E Cochrane’s Merrydown Little Devil. young drivers— 1, K Moreau; 2, O Fuller; 3, M Clarke. light trade— 1 & ch, S Brown’s Drumbo Great Expectations; 2, J Edwards’s Stapleford Meteor; 3 C Gregory’s Knockholt Express. registered m&m— 1, R Neale’s Tycwm Sebastian; 2, Murthwaite Perky (A Howe); 3, H Seymour’s Skellkyll Joseph. style & perf— 1, Spider; 2, E Cochrane’s Merrydown Little Devil; 3, Skellkyll Joseph.

The carriage driving world has been saddened by the recent death, after some months of illness, of private driving and coaching whip Michelle Chambers.

Michelle’s private driving successes came in the mid-1990s with a pair of Hackneys she qualified for the British Driving Society national championships. Thereafter, she became the only woman to compete in coaching marathons with an all-female team of grooms and passengers.

With her husband, Terry, Michelle was instrumental in planning and developing the Polo and Carriage Driving Centre at Great Canfield, near Dunmow, Essex, which will host a two-day event on 21-22 April this year, supported by Britain’s top horse team and pairs drivers.

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