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Issue 4/2005 |
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Issue 4/2005 |
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Editor’s Introduction Kicking the adrenaline habit is hard, so some of us take to indoor arenas all round the country and have a bit of fun with indoor driving trials. Cheap and cheerful, definitely, they are a great way to bring young ponies on, keep older ponies out of complete retirement and they are also encouraging a whole new entry to horse driving trials from the British Driving Society and private driving, certainly in our areas. There aren’t many sports where a thirteen year old driver can compete against a National Champion – and sometimes win! Most arenas have a spectators’ gallery and a café so you can watch people in other classes in comfort as well as catch up with your friends. Why not go along to your local event? Call Rita Bundock, 01227 768769, or see their website, www.indoordriving.co.uk for more details. Just a thought to cheer you, these long winter days. Fiona Powell, Suffolk Chairman’s Notes The BHDTA Conference took place successfully at the end of October. It emerged that it is important to have a membership drive. More people took part in National events last year but our membership is down. As costs continue to escalate we must increase our membership base for social, sport, political as well as financial reasons. I hope all of us will bear this in mind and go forth into the highways and byeways and play recruiting sergeant. The programme for next year was settled and an enthusiasm for five section marathons was, I am pleased to note, shown by the membership. We were very pleased to welcome at the dinner Simon Mackaness and his wife. He is in charge of our insurances at the THB British Equestrian (BEIB) who sponsor some classes in the Points League. It is not his fault that their cost has increased so much in recent years. That is forced upon everyone by claims and market trends. We were sad that at the last moment Mark Broadbent had to cry off. Apart from the fact the band deafened this golden oldie who is more attuned to Glen Miller, the evening passed off well and I think was enjoyed by all. Lord Michael Onslow, Chairman Read this - Office News - No 4, 2005 New Office Telephone and Fax numbers Please note the Office has new telephone and fax numbers, so update your diary. The postal address remains the same. Telephone Amanda and Gaynor on 02476 303339, fax 02476 303664 Selection Events to be held at National Events 2006 Two World Championships again in 2006 means there will be four selection events for the Horse Four-in-Hands: they will be at Brighton, Farleigh, Sandringham and Catton Park for competitors to go to the World Equestrian Games at Aachen, 28 August – 3 September 2006. The Single Horse World Championships Selection Events are at Henbury in 2005 and Hopetoun, Newnham and Lowther in 2006. These will decide the Team to go to Pratoni del Vivaro in Rome, 21-24 September. The first selection event for the 2007 World Combined Pony Championships will be at Alnwick in August 2006. 2006 Clinic Dates After much discussion and changes to dates and venues the 2006 Clinic Season has been finalised. The National Course Designers Clinic has been amalgamated with the Club Course Designers. As George Prince is unable to take the Clinic at Catton as originally intended, it will be taken by Gunnar Larsson of Sweden at the Unicorn Trust, Stow-on-the-Wold. The Judges have moved their date so it does not clash with the South of England Carriage Fair on 12 March at Ardingly. The Scorers Clinic and a Stewards Training Day will be at The David Broome Centre in Chepstow, in conjunction with the Novice Qualifier event. Walter Domandl and Ray Bragg will host these seminars. A second Stewards Training Day will be held somewhere in South East England. All other clinics are at the Unicorn Trust unless otherwise stated:
Rule Changes for 2006 Rule Changes for next year have not yet been agreed, but those that are being considered are only minor and will be detailed in the next edition of Carriage Horse (see the Conference Report). Event Entries Drivers wishing to be considered for selection are strongly advised to post their entries for selection events as early as possible to ensure that they are accepted. It is of great assistance to all organisers if competitors can send in their entries in good time. Event organisers will be charging a £50 excess on all late entries in 2006. This was a unanimous decision taken at the Organisers Meeting at the BHDTA Conference weekend. BHDTA Council Election The following elected Council members are due to retire at the next AGM: Mr Tom Pettifer, Mr Ian Douglas and Mr Edmund Goodwin. Whether they will stand for re-election or not waits to be seen and there may be other people wishing to stand for the Council. Nomination forms can be obtained from the BHDTA office. Completed nomination forms must reach the office by Friday, 13 January 2005. Membership Renewal Membership forms for 2006 are included with this newsletter. Contact the Office if you need more forms for friends or grooms, please. Note that it remains a mandatory requirement that marathon grooms (anyone acting as groom/navigator on vehicles) are members of the BHDTA (in any category other than Supporter). Please remember that the membership is now handled ‘in house’ by our Membership Secretary, Neil Davenport. YOUR AREA REPRESENTATIVES
Conference Report A word to describe the conference proceedings is “upbeat”. People certainly seemed positive about current goings-on and our Chairman, Lord Onslow, resplendent in exotic stripes, made pertinent remarks throughout the day, made the meeting stick to the point, made us aware that he shares some of our problems and understands them and wants to change things, as far as he can, and made us laugh. The Conference started promptly at two o’clock with a good representation of members, drivers, stewards and friends and a cheerful welcome from Lord Onslow at his first Conference as Chairman. He announced that entries for National events were up 10% despite membership going down 20%. We need to increase our membership and become more influential. “Cinderella is a Grande Dame in influence compared to us”, was his comment. We struggle every year to break even, despite the “yoke of insurance costs on our backs”. Lord Onslow was pleased to announce Nigel Dipple’s impressive collection of organisations prepared to offer discounts to BHDTA members starting in 2006. These include Bellcrown, Casalier, County Illustrated, Zilco Harness and others are in the pipeline. A new membership card will act as a discount card. If you have contacts in companies who might be persuaded to enter the scheme, he exhorts us, please encourage them to join up, for the benefit of all the members. He presented the awards as follows: * Young Driver: Andy Pilkington * Chairman’s Award: Jill and Derek Holah * Stewards Award: Brian Stokes * A beautiful bouquet of flowers was given to Jill Holah for organising the SsangYong National Carriage Driving Championships at Windsor. The Chairman's Award went to Jill and Derek Holah in recognition of their hard work over many years. Jill has been organising events for nearly 30 years, first at Osberton, then Wollaton, Castle Howard and now of course, the National Championships. At the earlier events she was the course designer/builder as well! Derek started as a course builder, and latterly has been flagging marathon courses up and down the country setting an exceptionally high standard of 'presentation'. Derrick Mayes, Treasurer, gave a polished, concise presentation on finances. A small loan had been made to cover costs of the World Pony Championships and it was expected that this would be covered by a small excess made on the SsangYong National Championships. We absorbed the second half of the big hike in our insurance cover costs and this year, broadly, the costs did not go up. Derrick holds out the same hope of stability in July 2006 as he believes the insurance market has softened a little. Membership fees were discussed at the Conference and the new rates will be published on the web and in the next issue after the next Council Meeting. Because the club affiliation fee scale with its levy on club membership numbers was so unpopular, Derrick said, a new method of calculating the fees has been introduced by Council for next year. These raised £30,500 in 2005 and are planned to raise about £30,330 if they were calculated on the same numbers. The new fees are, clubs of up to 19 members, £300; 20 – 49 members, £500; 50 – 99 members, £750; 100 – 199 members, £1400; 200 – 299 members, £2100; over 300 members (including the Indoor Horse Driving Trials Club - IHDTC), £2800. The IHDTC pays a levy of £10 per event to the BHDTA, too. Ian Douglas, Chairman of the Rules Committee, said that the next Rules Committee meeting would be held on 2 November to report to Council on 8 December and the topics for discussion included: * FEI rule changes, mostly minor and technical. * Juries of Appeal were to be dropped from CAI-B events. * The start and end of an event were to be defined in the Rule Book. The proposals are: International events start one hour before the first vetting; National events start one hour before the first dressage test is driven and end 30 minute after the final results are posted. * The FEI is having difficulty defining “dismounting” from a carriage, currently defined as “the voluntary removal of a person from a carriage”. Ian dryly acknowledged the amusement which this remark evoked from the floor and said the FEI is probably changing this… * A horse’s tail is not allowed to be tied or plaited in any way to the trace or breeching. * International events: a horse can be substituted in the event of an accident or illness before the first inspection. * Also being considered were: * Chefs d’Equipe will be asked to declare the horses competing in writing * Vetting of stallions – a short whip can be carried to control a stallion during the vet inspection. * Lameness in dressage – the President on each dressage arena, positioned at C, can eliminate for lameness. * The wearing of shorts on the marathon used to be penalised (potentially) by elimination – this has been reduced to five penalties (although whether this was per shorts-wearer or per turnout was not clear). * The maximum time allowance for the walk on sections B and D in the marathon is likely to be increased. The time limit of section C, the fast trot, might also be changed, but details were not discussed. * FEI Test 8, currently used for Open and Multiples classes at National events, may be judged by the President of the Jury at C with two judges each side of C, three metres in from the corners and two more judges at B and E markers. This gave a good view of the back of the shoulder-in, said Ian. This was already being done at international events. * The Rule Book is being corrected. * To be confirmed: selection events would allow three horses for pairs drivers. * Competence cards – Council asked the Rules Committee to look at having a time limit on the retrospective signing of competence cards. A two-year period is being considered – that is, competence cards must be completed over two seasons and, ideally, should be signed at the end of the event, not afterwards. * Errors of course in dressage: judges and drivers have asked for consideration of giving five penalties for each error of course instead of the current rule which is elimination after the third error. * Vaccinations: Council agreed at their last meeting to look at what might be done to relax the current FEI ruling for six-monthly flu jabs for horses taking part in FEI equestrian sports. Even when horses are not competing internationally, they must comply, however. Lord Onslow commented that he was affected by this ruling as much as the rest of us. He had contacted the manufacturers of the vaccine and they claim 15-month effectiveness, however, it is unlikely that the FEI will change its mind, despite Lord Onslow writing to its President. There were questions from the floor including Barry Hilditch of NEDTL asking what dressage test ponies would be using next year. Answer: FEI tests 6 and 7. Paul Chambers, Single Horse Representative, asked which test would be used for the Single Horse Championships. Answer: probably FEI test 7 – to be confirmed. Emma Burge, Single Pony Champion 2004, asked about whether professional trainers were to be continued to be allowed to warm up turnouts immediately before the dressage test, saying that this practice was not allowed in ridden dressage, eventing or show-jumping. Sydney Smith responded that she would consult the FEI about the practice. George Bowman commented that the stick allowed for stallion-handlers at vet inspections might be used to hide lameness and he also said that it was impossible to see the shoulder-in from C because all that could be seen was the back of the carriage. Marilyn Harding said that a letter she had sent to the Council about the current rules for the Cones competition had not been acknowledged or replied to. Lord Onslow apologised. Marilyn continued, saying that the speed of the cones was not the problem, this being the same as that in section A of the marathon, in her view, how people measured the length of the cones course, was the issue. There was some discussion and the measuring of the course at Henbury Hall National event was brought up. It was said that several drivers measured that course and came to a distance that only varied by about eight metres but that the length as measured by the officials was about 50 metres shorter. Paul Chambers’ opinion was that encouraging technical driving was better than encouraging drivers to go too fast. It was mentioned that the faster speeds favoured three-phase carriages and the presentation vehicle might fall into disfavour: a retrograde step in the sport in the opinion of some people. Someone pointed out the case of a driver going fast to escape time penalties had knocked over a number of cones but had done better than more careful drivers who’d gone clear but outside the time. This was not encouraging better driving skills. There were some complaints about the standard of dressage arenas at some events, with reference to Farleigh House. Lord Onslow explained that the sheep, which had kept the arena grazed in the past, were no longer part of the farming practices there and that the organisers had discovered the state of one of the arenas too late to be able to rectify its condition. Because many people arrive at National events from Tuesday onwards, what did we think about running the dressage over two days so that one arena could be used and entries need not be restricted to 60 (the number which one arena can run in a day)? There was some discussion about the BHDTA’s representation at the FEI with reference to the cones competition rules. George Bowman commented that the FEI set the speed but not the course. There was something wrong when complete classes couldn’t produce a double-clear round and that this was not doing horses or drivers any good. The course designers could make an allowance for the (difficulty of) the course when measuring it. It was also said that no allowance was made for complicated courses and obstacles such as boxes. Philip Bateman, Chairman of the Competitions Committee, said that he had timed 40 turnouts though a double-box and the average was 40 seconds. He averred that perhaps an extra 10% allowance should be made for tandems and teams as these had to take longer courses (than singles and pairs). Cherry Gaynor asked if the Technical Delegate could refuse to accept the course. Philip replied that the course would be passed if the course was OK. The speed can be reduced by increasing the time set. After the first three competitors in a class the rules now allow the time to be increased (but not decreased). Paul Chambers commented that he thought clubs are also setting times too tight and that people should believe they can achieve a clear round. Trying to make a fast time was not helpful to those bringing on young horses, too. Amanda Saville, Council member, suggested that perhaps a driver’s representative could measure the course officially. Lord Onslow said the matter would be reviewed. Three-section marathons – are they the right way forward? Mick Peace said the Horse Pairs had a three-section marathon at the Windsor National Championships this year. Jill Holah replied that it was done in good faith as it was more like an International event. Lord Onslow listed Sandringham, Lowther and Alnwick; all five-section marathons as well as Windsor. George Bowman: five-section marathons are less stressful for the horses and this had been confirmed by a study done by Dutch and German vets. Many agreed, however, that selection events should have three-section marathons because this reflected the competition for which turnouts were being selected. There was general approval of the doubling of the walk sections time limits. Philip Bateman showed photographs of the letters proposed for use in obstacles and these were appreciated: they have one large letter for the red or white gate and several small letters which will wrap around the post so they are visible from the back of the gate. Derek Holah would make the letters conform to this standard next year. Sarah Betney, a Novice Horse driver, felt that Novice classes were poorly treated, in her opinion, and that they provided an opportunity to increase membership (of the BHDTA in the future). How were Novice drivers to feel encouraged, however, when they were badly treated at Sandringham House two years’ running, with (this year) a late presentation of rosettes on foot and fourth, fifth and sixth places were not even given rosettes? [Editor’s note: I have made every attempt to avoid putting words into people’s mouths or attributing views to them inaccurately, although they have been paraphrased. I’ve tried to make a reasonable representation of the general opinion as much as possible. If you feel that your views were not adequately represented here, please contact me and make them clear. Thank you! FP] Dinner dance and presentation of points league awards There was room for a few more people to squeeze into the dinner dance this year, yet it went with a swing, as did many trotting the light fantastic into the wee hours. After the specially selected three-course spread of paté, delicious pork in mustard sauce with vegetables and a diet-breaking chocolate sweet followed by coffee and chocolates, we watched Rachel Stevens’ popular rolling show of photos evoking the atmosphere of the whole season. Brighton through the Nationals, the World Pony Championship and the SsangYong National Championships at Windsor, lots of people were captured in all manner of costumes, poses and emotional states. Gaynor Mayer prompted Anna Mackaness of insurance company THB BEIB, who sponsor the Novice Points League, with rosettes and awards. Dawn Tebbett said later that it had been a tough year for her, with scarcely a weekend at home all summer, but she’d enjoyed it and collected second rosette in the Novice Pony Points League, the absent Gary Brown taking the third ribbon. Linzi Bennett, likewise, worked hard for the well-deserved first place. A tie between the absent Chris Smith and Julia Crockford at 27 points gave them second place rosettes, collected by Wilf Bowman-Ripley and Di Hayes. The absent Mike Howard romped home to win the Novice Horse Points League on 33 points. Mark Broadbent was sadly unable to join us at the last minute so Lord Onslow enjoyed presenting the awards on his behalf for the Fenix Carriages Open classes Points Leagues. Sue Denney won Pony Singles, 60 points over Sara Howe, 57; Di Hayes, Horse Singles, 59 from Cherry Gaynor, 45; Pony Pairs, Jo Rennison, 59 from Rachel Stevens, 58; Horse Pairs, Fred Pendlebury, 55 from Dick Lane, 49; Pony Fours, Sarah-Jane Cooke, 59 from Ursula Hirschberg, 58; Horse Fours, George Bowman, 55 from Peter Bennett and Geoffrey Woods, 48. The full points leagues results are on page 26. After the awards we bopped and danced to the disco until we dropped: a great evening. “Thank you”, Amanda Hill and Gaynor Mayer for organising it all for us. FP SsangYong National Carriage Driving Championships A report by Andrew Cowdery The 2005 SsangYong National Carriage Driving Championships were without doubt the most competitive and entertaining end-of-season championships in recent driving trials history. Held, as usual, on the Queen Victoria’s Review Ground in Windsor Great Park by kind permission of Her Majesty The Queen, the national championships provided an exciting climax to a memorable horse driving trials season. In the past doubts have been expressed by some about the suitability of the Windsor venue but this year everyone agreed that the showground looked fantastic. Jill Holah and her team must be congratulated – all their hard work paid off and the layout of the arenas and marquees was perfect. The new Victoria Enclosure worked exceptionally well and proved to be a valuable addition to the show. Over 125 guests on marathon day enjoyed morning coffee, a two course buffet lunch and afternoon tea in the marquee whilst watching drivers tackle the marathon obstacles. Many overseas visitors including a large contingent of supporters from Australia, made use of the new facility, which offered hospitality over all three days and the membership fee provided excellent value for money. SsangYong were sponsoring the championships for the first time and the new Managing Director Ken Forbes enjoyed an exciting ride on Geoff Woods’ marathon carriage round the cross-country course. “SsangYong were very pleased with their involvement,” reported Nigel Dipple, BHDTA Marketing Director. Also supporting the event this year were the Royal Bank of Scotland - with a welcome first involvement in the sport of horse driving trials Weather conditions were pretty much perfect for the cross-country marathon on Saturday. 110 competitors tackled the course, which ran through Windsor Great Park and finished up with eight superbly-decorated obstacles in the trees beside the Long Walk. Competitors were in agreement that coursebuilder Barry Hunter had done a very good job. His intelligent flagging of the obstacles helped open them up and make for more fast-flowing routes. This resulted in a much more exciting competition in nearly every class. The 2005 Dodson & Horrell Open Single Horse Championship certainly produced an enthralling and exhilarating contest with the lead changing hands after every phase. Di Hayes and her superlative bay Hackney mare, Hamewith Culmellie eventually won their third consecutive national title with an ice cool double-clear in the cones. Marathon winner David Matthews was unlucky this time dropping to fourth behind Scotland’s Ian Bertram and Paul Sidwell the impressive reserve champion. The quality and intensity of the single horse competitors was terrific and the battle to impress the selectors and secure a place on the team to represent Great Britain at the 2006 World Single Horse Driving Championships in Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy should be great to follow next season. The 2005 National Championships seemed to provide evidence that the sport is going in the right direction, with the emphasis on training of both drivers and horses leading to a general raising of standards. Although the dressage scores might not have appeared to reflect such an improvement, the judges agreed there was cause for optimism. “I think Test 8 has improved the driving and improved the quality of paces in those classes,” observed FEI international judge Diana Brownlie, “In nearly every class the standard of driving has improved – drivers are more knowledgeable about how to use the arena and achieve better accuracy. I’m really very encouraged.” Certainly the standard of driving and quality of horses in the novice classes continues to improve. Cheshire driver Mike Howard and his superb grey KWPN Salbrino II had the outstanding dressage score of the championships - 34.67 – and thoroughly deserved the title of novice champion in single horse. Nicole Petch was second throughout and drove one of the very few double clear rounds in the cone-driving to finish as reserve champion ahead of Zoe Morgan and Geoff Kirby. Ireland’s Jean Rea was novice champion in single pony with her black gelding, Teddy. James Broome ended up as reserve ahead of the 2005 points champion, Linzi Bennett in third. The competition was very close in this class with just ten penalties separating second and eighth placed drivers. Sue Denney and Rolls Silver Spirit have been the outstanding combination this season in single pony and crowned a long list of achievements by winning their first ever national championship. The Isle of Man driver and her grey Welsh x Arab have been great to watch this season and, Sue says, they are aiming to achieve a lot more in the next couple of years. Sara Howe and Costa Llewellyn were deserved reserve champions. The successful FEI World Pony Driving Championship format has really boosted competition in the pony divisions over the past few seasons. It was great to see that all six of Great Britain’s bronze medal–winning pony drivers at the Catton World Championships, Sue Denney, Sara Howe, Rachel Stevens and Jo Rennison, Sarah-Jane Cook and Ursula Hirschberg were all national champions and reserve champions in their respective classes, Danielle Twitchen won the pony tandems title for the second year in succession and Jimmy Robson became horse tandems champion for the second time in twenty-two years. Four Dutch tandem drivers were invited to compete as guests at the championships after our British tandems had competed at Exloo in Holland. Cornelie de Geyter-Pries and her husband, who were celebrating their wedding anniversary, finished at the top of the line. The much-anticipated highlight of the cross-country action came – albeit late in the day - when the horse fours thundered through the marathon obstacles at ever-increasing speeds. Dick Lane and his four grey Lipizzaner – fresh from representing Great Britain at the World Championships in Salzburg, Austria the previous weekend – set a good pace, which George Bowman more than matched with his young black Dutch Hackneys. Rolleston organiser, Robert Wilkinson raced round with his chestnut and bay Warmbloods to take third place in this phase. But the real battle was between overnight leader Boyd Exell and the defending champion, Karen Bassett. Karen and her Trakheners sped through the obstacles to win the marathon Peter Bennett with his well-schooled bay Dutch Warmbloods moved up into third place in the cones. Karen had to settle for the runner-up spot after a nearly flawless round by Boyd secured a third championship victory. It was a classic National Championships and it was only a pity there weren’t more spectators to see the new champions crowned on the Sunday. The organisers did a fantastic job but they can only do so much. It’s your sport and we can all help to promote next year’s Championships. Andrew Cowdery Letters Pages Elisabeth Greensmith and her pony tandem were at the SsangYong Championships at Windsor… Most people will be aware that I had quite a horrendous tip-up at Windsor resulting in me being airlifted to hospital. There however I think my misfortune ended as my husband Paul and myself were overwhelmed both then and since by the kindness shown by officials, fellow competitors and friends. People dashed straight in, sorted the ponies out, got them back to the lorry, rugged and fed and watered them. The vet visited and attended to the wheeler and Chris Doughty (wasn't he unlucky to be the appointed Safety Officer?) very kindly conveyed my husband to hospital. When I returned next day I was inundated with people asking how I was and were the ponies OK. I then had to spend a considerable amount of time returning all the coats, jackets and rugs which people had produced to cover me up with. The whole incident has left us feeling extremely lucky to be competing in a sport which has such fantastic medical back-up, very professional officials and such caring and concerned fellow competitors and friends. Thank you once again to all who helped in any way. Elisabeth Greensmith P.S. The carriage has been mended, the ponies have been back in and, to complete a happy ending, the wheeler won his class at the club competition the following weekend! No more ATVs at Windsor? From Jill Holah, Championships Organiser When I took over the organisation of the National Championships in 2003 I had lengthy negotiations with the Crown Estate over the use of ATVs/motorcycles by competitors viewing the marathon obstacles, and eventually managed to persuade them to grant permission, within a clearly defined area, for BHDTA permit holders to use these vehicles. Sadly this privilege was abused this year and I think it is possible that permission will be withdrawn for the 2006 Championships. It is very sad that the majority of competitors who are considerate enough to comply with the Crown Estate rules are likely to have to suffer due to the total thoughtlessness of a few. Herewith an extract from a letter from the Deputy Ranger at the Crown Estate: “Turning now to the issue of the ATVs… I do accept that we did give permission for restricted use of ATVs within the area which you highlighted on the plan you sent with your letter of 17 March but, as you will have gathered from my letter of 27 March, this was done with some reluctance. Having seen the way in which your competitors made use of the ATVs convinces me that I should probably not have relented, and stuck to our general rulings on all other events here in the Great Park that ATVs are only allowed for very specific use, such as score card collecting etc. “The problem I saw first hand when I visited the site on the Friday evening was the fact that two or three ATVs were well outside the agreed area and helmets were not being used. There was one case where I saw someone riding with at least two others riding on the vehicle and perhaps the most serious was a child driving an ATV, who was obviously under the age of 16. “I also checked with our wardens after the event to ask if they had noticed any problems and they also confirmed they had to stop one or two riders who were driving without helmets and were also outside the agreed area…” All organisers try and make the best possible arrangements for the benefit of competitors, but we rely on the help and support of competitors in return. Jill Holah You must go to the Iberian Cup 2006 I have just got back from staying with friends in Portugal. One of these was Jose do Mello, who is hosting the Iberian Cup on March 23 - 26 2006 on his wonderful estate, Ravasqueira, in the Alentejo region. After discussion with him, I am trying to publicise the event, and encourage Brits to go out and watch. This is going to be a wonderful event with horse teams, pairs and singles being invited from all over Europe. There is a fabulous dressage arena, (said to have the best surface in Europe) which is situated so that spectators will be able to enjoy views for 40 miles in each direction as well as watching the competitors. The new obstacles are nearly complete and have been built to ensure good viewing areas. The organisers are intending to have restaurants and displays during the event. The estate is also home to the beautiful Mont Ravasqueira Lusitanos. Apart from the event, this is the most beautiful area, with stunning landscapes and beautiful architecture. The easiest way to get to Ravasqueira, is to take a flight to Faro, (cheaper and less hassle than Lisbon) then hire a car to drive 1½ hours north over good roads to the city of Evora (which is one of the World Heritage sites). This is the nearest town/city in which to stay. There is a good range of accommodation, from bed and breakfast through to top flight hotels. Outside the city there is a large array of country houses and estates which also offer accommodation. There is also a campsite at Orbitur, two km from Evora. Pauline Scott Borde Hill Appreciation This venue has to be one on the list of those not to be missed. The Brockham Harness Club did a wonderful job of running this event, we were all made so welcome and everyone enjoyed themselves. I have to say that on arrival I had my reservations about the helicopter trips over the event, but that was nothing compared to the Civil War Re-enactment Society’s displays throughout the weekend, nevertheless the horses were completely at ease with the loud rifle shots and cannon fire, it was the humans who were jumpy! The cones, set in a wonderful corner of the park were a delight to drive, the course time was set just right and was both technical and enjoyable without being a scurry. The marathon was picturesque and fun to drive, with the six obstacles all very different making them easier to remember, although fast and flowing they were quite technical and you had to have your wits about you, they were a great challenge to drive with hidden dangers such as the soldiers in No 1, the rather smelly water in No 4 and the wonderful mushrooms in No 6. Rosettes were in abundance for all three phases, which was very nice (National’s take heed!) as well as an Inter-Club challenge which always adds to the excitement. A great weekend, excellent weather – well done and a big thank you to Sarah and Andrew Simmons and all the team at Brockham. Julia Crockford [The Civil War enactments – especially the final canon fire crescendo – certainly added zest to my ponies’ dressage performance – but they’ll use any excuse. This prepared us for the clay pigeon shoot near the halt on Sunday – which we survived. It’s a lovely course with a friendly welcome and we definitely want to come again next year. FP] Brockham Harness Club’s hard-working Secretary, Sara Simmons, responds: The [Borde Hill] event seems to be growing each year at an alarming rate and, as always, Nigel, Andrew and I already have lots of thoughts on what we can or must improve for next time. It made my life a great deal easier moving Cones right away from the Country Fair and it now seems as though we are going to have to do the same with the Marathon. Julia was kind enough to point out that all the equines coped remarkably well with helicopters, battle re-enactments and clay-pigeon shooting but we cannot afford to be complacent. The Country Fair organisers are quite economical with information about what their attractions will really involve in case we try to put a spanner in their works. The only answer seems to be for us to find a way of keeping the whole course further away from them. So the message from Brockham is, if you haven’t been to Borde Hill before, don’t be put off by the prospect of gunfire and low-flying helicopters! Come to Borde Hill in 2006 and we will show you a good time! Sara Simmons (Thanks to Phil and Barbara Nadin for permission to reproduce the previous comments from www.equifor.com) Bridleways and carriage driving A note about a useful website providing free bridleways information for riders and drivers. We have developed a free service that allows horse riders and carriage drivers to share route information over the internet. At the moment the majority of routes are geared towards riders. However, we are keen to redress the balance by inviting your members to share their local routes for others to use on the website. Since the website’s launch in June we have attracted over 4000 users, some of which are carriage drivers who have requested appropriate routes for them to be included on the website too. We would like to explore the possibility of working with your organisation to increase the number of carriage friendly routes, and find ways to engage with your members to document their routes. We look forward to hearing from you and hope that you will be able to help us provide better information for carriage drivers. Catherine M Wheatcroft www.bridleways.co.uk [Well worth a look. FP] Event Reports NEDTG– Local talent on show The regional outdoor carriage driving season came to a hot and sticky end over the weekend of 3-4 September. With an excellent dressage arena and permanent obstacles set in a rolling landscape, Nigel and Sylvie Lupton hosted the final event for the North Eastern Carriage Driving Group at East Keswick near Wetherby. The dressage tests were a good reflection of experience in the pairs, with over 40 points between class leader Louisa Menaged of Macclesfield and Mark Jopling of Middles-borough driving a pair for the first season. In line with the Harry Potter theme of the event, Brian Anderson’s cones course wove a mesmerising magic around all Open competitors, the only double clear rounds in the whole field coming from Rosie Moulds of Morpeth, Steve Kerry of Bradford, Susan Hall of Durham and Steve Hoyle of Scunthorpe, all in Novice classes! In the evening competitors were entertained at Hagrid’s (Pat Cooper’s) Hovel to a free pie, pea and sausage supper prepared by Averil Anderson. Various wizards and witches were present under the close supervision of presentation judges Professors Macgonagal and Snape (Patti and Keith Atkinson), and the star turn was an appearance by the NEDTL Quidditch Team captained by Penny Wood who the following weekend issued a Northern Interclubs Challenge at Henbury Hall (see inside back cover for a full-colour appreciation of same). In the marathon, a thrilling duel between Susan Hall and Charlotte Salter saw Susan get to within 0.2 of a penalty point and almost beating Charlotte. Steve Hoyle stormed through to snatch overall victory by 13 points from Wendy Ellis of Wakefield. Talented Amie Woodward of Clitheroe was clear winner of the Novice horse by over 50 points, and in a two-horse race Mary Longbottom of Dewsbury beat Glenys Ellis of Flockton. Patti Atkinson of Durham just secured victory over Lyn Longbottom of Ossett in the Open horse. A strong entry in the Pairs saw Louisa Menaged home, 0.84 penalty points ahead of doughty campaigner from Swaledale, David Calvert. At the end of the Club outdoor season, and with the Northern Interclubs and the National Champioships to look forward to, who are the names competing with this forward-looking club to look out for now, and next year? Rosie Moulds of Morpeth has made a dashing debut in the novice pony and will be turning heads next year driving a pony pair. Amie Woodward of Clitheroe appears unstoppable in the Novice Horse and hopefully will have the opportunity for success in a more senior class. James Marshall of Elland, previously a Silver Medallist in the world championships for Drivers with Disabilities driving in the Single Horse class, has impressed everyone on the local and National scene driving his marvellous matched pair of cobs for the first year. Judy Hilditch of Flockton has maintained a superb standard in the Open Pony, driving with confidence and style at all levels. Pat Cooper of Bardsey has continued to drive her horse tandem with consummate skill both at club and National level but had to be satisfied with second in the Fenix National Points League. Gary Brown of Chorley has fought his way to third nationally, closely followed by Glenys Ellis of Flockton. NEDTG is once again producing and supporting drivers at all levels. Chester HDT Group visit Arley Hall By Judy Popley It’s amazing how a chance remark in the middle of a tourism meeting brings together a privately owned Cheshire country estate and a pair of horse driving enthusiasts. That’s what happened when I met the delightful Mike and Lynn Howard. The first Chester Horse Driving Trials took place over a sun drenched weekend at Arley Hall near Northwich, Cheshire on 20 – 21 August. This was the first horse driving trials event ever held at Arley and as the person who had introduced Mike and Lynn to the Estate I was looking forward to seeing exactly what went on. As a complete “virgin” to the sport and a volunteer for the weekend I was anticipating two days of horse heaven and generally having a bit of fun. But what fun! From the minute I arrived I was made to feel part of the club and everyone was so friendly and welcoming. “Right,” said Mike, “your first job will be as writer for the Presentation Judge, Jack Gibson,” so off I went, clipboard and pencil in hand. Being a horse rider I found it particularly interesting to learn how all the harness fitted. From Presentation I went up to Dressage to assist the judge as her writer. In this case it was the very experienced and highly respected judge Mrs Pamela Hirschberg. It was fascinating to watch each competitor as they negotiated intricate 20 metre circles, driving with one hand whilst negotiating half circles and then completing a serpentine – hard enough to do on horseback, never mind handling a team of four. The weekend covered three phases, Dressage, Cones and Cross Country with the first two disciplines taking place on the Saturday. These phases were further broken down into classes, from Single Pony/Horse (Beginner, Novice, Intermediate) to Pairs and Teams (four in hand) and finally to Tandem. Back to the camp for a wonderful lunch made by the redoubtable Norma and Josie, followed by assisting Lynn with her charismatic Welsh pony pair – Fizz and Popeye. Fizz suffered my inexperienced grooming and accepted his Polo politely. Then it was a quick change into my beige jodhpurs, black boots, hat and bowler and brown gloves, before we were off to do our dressage test. Lynn explained that the tandem is regarded as probably the most difficult combination in driving and having sat alongside her as she drove her ponies I can understand why. Fizz, the lead pony, is some 12ft (sorry, no metres here) ahead of us attached to two traces (long leather leads attached to Popeye’s collar) and a pair of long reins. He is completely free to move left or right without restriction and being so far ahead it is essential that he is brave, forward going, attentive and has good hearing. Lynn drives the ponies by rein and voice, coaxing the volatile Fizz whilst berating the lazier Popeye, the wheeler, who springs smartly to attention when she growls at him. The whip replaces the rider’s leg and is used as encouragement not punishment with a gentle flick on the horse’s flank serving as a leg instruction you would give when riding. The Arley Event was sponsored by Bellcrown Carriages, based in Tattenhall, Cheshire, who provide expertly engineered two and four wheel carriages for training, pleasure, disabled and competition driving. Their Managing Director, Martin Johnson, was also depicted in one of the obstacles on the marathon course – as a Guy Fawkes-type dummy, complete with Bellcrown hat and jumper. His presence in the middle of a particularly complicated wheel-effect obstacle certainly spooked some of the horses and ponies as they approached it. Thirty-six competitors took part over the weekend and the marathon course was also open for carriage drivers who wanted to practise in readiness for the “big event”, the National Carriage Driving Championships held in Windsor Great Park on 16 - 18 September. This is the Derby or Cheltenham Festival of the driving world and generates much excitement amongst the Chester group as several of them have qualified for this prestigious event. I asked Mike how much it would cost to start up this fascinating hobby and he estimated that you could start with a second hand carriage, £1500, harness for your animal £700 and for a ready-made pony (one that has experience of driving) around £1500, so it isn’t a cheap sport to take on lightly. However, after enjoying such a wonderful weekend with the Chester Horse Driving Trials Group, I could be tempted. Now where’s that lottery ticket? Judy Popley, of Arley Hall, to whom thanks are also due for taking most of the photos. Wykeham Event - NEDTL Steve’s report reached me just after the last issue of Carriage Horse went to press…See the results and more details about the club and their events on their excellent website, www.nedtl.co.uk Scarborough was most definitely not very fair when Equestrian Post Country’s carriage drivers gathered at nearby Wykeham Estate for their latest event. With many competitors engaged elsewhere on the National scene, the low entry numbers did not mean a diminution of the quality of performance. Once again the cones course proved a great leveller and although experienced whips were heard to observe that the course was so straightforward that all competitors were likely to go double clear, in fact only Steve Kerry and Rosie Moulds achieved this success, and in fact two drivers scored time penalty points in double figures. Six competitors battled it out in the Open Horse Class with Lynne Longbottom continuing her excellent season with an impressive dressage score of 36.28. John Reid of Kendal was second after dressage but with just one cone dropped and second place on the marathon he took the red rosette by close of play on Sunday. He might have been chased to the winners post by last year’s success story Alec Jeffrey of Easingwold. However Alec, who has long professed to 13 being his favourite number, was eliminated for completely missing - you’ve guessed it – number 13. He awoke from a rest in his wagon only to find the offending cones outside with offending balls placed strategically on the ground. In the Open Pony class the competition was stiff. Glenys Ellis of Flockton, and recently qualified for Windsor, was a clear 19 points behind leader Jane Moxley of York after dressage, but although she gained ground in the cones she still remained in third place behind Mary Longbottom of Dewsbury. Only two points separated these three after the marathon, but the order remained unchanged with Jane Moxley finishing as winner. The Pairs class was won by Ken Walmsley of Risplith, the Novice pony Belinda Rees-Evans of East Keswick, and the Novice horse by Steve Kerry of Bradford. Steve Kerry Indoor News Janice Parker’s brand new indoor driving region centred on Forest Edge EC in Norfolk is proving popular. Fifteen entries for her first event in October quickly swelled into 25 entries at the second in November with a huge Novice Pony class of 14. Because there are so many newcomers, she’s put an extra class into the mix, Club Class. This is intended for any drivers, whatever their experience or turnout, who have a more relaxed approach, just want to have a go and who choose not to leap into the heat of the most popular class without some experience. The groom is allowed to talk to the driver in dressage and cones phases. Dick Carey of the Indoor Horse Driving Trials UK has kindly donated class rosettes and a cup for the region and the same for East Anglia, where the Club Class has proved an effective training ground for drivers taking their first steps into horse driving trials of any kind. At Forest Edge, Rosemary Neale was one of the few drivers who cor-rectly halted with the carriage front wheels at X. East Anglia and Norfolk are also working hard to encourage more Single Horse competitors and it’s gradually paying off. So far event entries have also risen in the East Anglia region. Left, Fiona Powell’s Chested Paintbox gains a surprise win at Orwell Arena in October. See the indoor driving website for the event schedule in your area, rules, Precision and Paces test, nationwide results, news, and a lively forum: www.indoordriving.co. uk FP Announcements Bellcrown Carriages - Driving Onward British carriage builders Bellcrown Carriages have moved to new premises on the outskirts of the delightful Cheshire village of Tattenhall, seven miles south east of the Roman city of Chester. The new premises offer improved facilities including a larger showroom displaying many of Bellcrown’s range of two and four wheel models plus Tedman and Zilco harness. Their new address is Bellcrown Ltd, Unit 1, Canalside, Tattenhall, Chester, CH3 9BD. Telephone 01829 771 741, fax 01829 771732. See the latest news and range of carriages on www.bellcrown.com.
Young Horse Training booklet launched With contributions from some of the most experienced trainers - Yogi Breisner, Jennie Loriston-Clarke, Jane Kidd and Jane Holderness-Roddam, the BEF team are set to fulfil demand as this invaluable guide booklet is launched. “Guidelines for the Training of the Young Horse” has been prepared by the British Breeding Young Horse Training Working Group and sponsored by THB British Equestrian and Supporters of British Breeding. The booklet guides the reader through the general aims, exercises and pitfalls of working with young horses in each year of their life from foal to four year old and features a comprehensive guide to further recommended reading and viewing. Priced at £3 per copy including P&P (£2 per copy for multiple copies), it’s available by sending an order and a cheque payable to BEF for the total amount to British Breeding, British Equestrian Federation, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire CV8 2RH. Jan Rogers, BEF, 07725 332595, jan.rogers@bef.co.uk Vote of thanks to Sue Adams A presentation and vote of thanks were made at the recent Paralympic Dressage Trainers Conference at Hartpury College to Sue Adams, (right) retiring Secretary, for her services to IPEC over the last ten years. She was driven into the arena by David Seal with his stunning pair of Welsh Cobs and was presented with numerous gifts from Paralympic athletes worldwide. Sue has been at the forefront of Paralympic Equestrian Sports encouraging numerous riders and drivers through the ranks to compete at International and World Championships. She is now looking forward to spending time enjoying her many other interests and pastimes and as a keen driver will no doubt still be seen on the National driving circuit stewarding on obstacles. We wish her a very happy retirement. Lindsey Tyas New look BHDTA website Webmaster Vic Kusin has been updating our site with a new theme, above. It’s still just as easy to find news, results and dates as it was before, yet, I think you’ll agree, does look very smart. See for yourself and keep up-to-date with the latest news – faster than I can produce Carriage Horse magazine! Indoor Horse Driving Trials Raffle winner The first £500 winner of the Indoor Horse Driving Trials Club’s Prize Draw has gone to a Scottish, long term supporter and competitor in the indoor driving scene, Ian Bertram. Congratulations to Ian whose winning ticket No 101 was purchased at the SsangYong National Driving Championships in September. FEI News - "Shoulder In" - Dressage Test 8 The following article was published on 7 September. See Driving under the FEI website, www.horsesport.org for the latest information. “In an effort to provide drivers with more information on what is being looked for by the judges in the ‘Shoulder In’ movement in Dressage Test 8 for driving, the following has been produced by Mrs D Brownlie (GBR) and Dr Klaus Christ (GER): SHOULDER IN FOR THE DRIVEN HORSE
COMMON FAULTS
The Committee welcomes any comments or suggestions in respect to this movement within the test.” International News Memories of the Salzburg Experience Margi Hawkins competed at her first International event outside the UK in September. What was it like? For those of you who have never competed abroad, make sure you have plenty of sleep before you leave. Believe me, once you leave these shores it is non-stop - there is hardly time to go to bed. Our journey to Salzburg for the World Pairs Championships took four days – one of which was a well deserved rest day. Except for John and Jo Attenborough, who were already in Germany, and Boyd, our team trainer who joined us out there, we all met up each night at our overnight stops to compare notes, check horses and go over our route for the following day. It was a good journey and we arrived on the showground in Salzburg on the Monday morning to set up camp. Now I know our lorry isn’t the biggest but as we drove onto the lorry park in Salzburg we felt like Noddy and Big Ears. The lorries and general camp set ups were fantastic. We parked after changing our minds about a dozen times – where EXACTLY should we stop, which way should the lorry face, etc. etc., and finally, like a well trained team of boy scouts, we got our tents up, horses into their stables and living area in the lorry emptied so we could boil a kettle. Once we were all there and our British camp set up it all worked well. The opening ceremony was an unforgettable experience. 78 horse pairs from 23 nations all paraded through the beautiful gardens of the Casino and as each one filed past the front of the building their names and countries were read out. I saw John, in front of me, raise his hat to the crowds. Not sure what ladies should do I lifted my whip and Liz (my sister grooming on the back) and I trotted past the crowds grinning like a couple of Cheshire cats. As my german is non-existent I have no idea what was said but it all sounded very welcoming. On Thursday suddenly things became very real indeed – dressage. Fred did his test in the morning and we were on in the afternoon. As we warmed up I don’t think I realized just how terrified I was until Boyd seized me by the shoulders to try and get me to relax. I can do a whole dressage test without breathing, but there is no doubt the odd lungful of oxygen does help things along. Boyd posted us into the stadium still pummeling to keep me from seizing up. In the event the horses were brilliant and we were delighted with our test. The dressage and cones took place in an enormous football stadium and the horses seemed quite unfazed by the long dark tunnel and sudden emergence into the bright sunshine and atmosphere of the arena. We watched Dick and John drive their tests the following day – a welcome break from walking obstacles; and suddenly it was Saturday and marathon day. This was fun. All the British drivers did well although Fred, I know, would rather forget obstacle 6. We were pleased as punch with the horses after our round and absolutely delighted at the end of the day when we ended up top of the Brits – nothing sexist you understand but we did feel pretty pleased with ourselves! With Sunday came the cones and the learning curve graph is still heading in a steep upward direction. It was a good, fair course but it is only open for walking an hour before the first competitor - not ideal for people like me who have to walk it a million times to get it firmly imprinted in the brain. The thing with cones is that I am always being told I rush in and should take more time before starting. So I did just that and took so much time the clock started going backwards. In the event, however, I enjoyed it and although we had four balls off I came away feeling we had tried our best and gained in confidence and experience. Before we left for Salzburg we had regarded the trip as a huge challenge, an adventure to be enjoyed and a privilege to be selected as part of the team. Thanks to all the support and encouragement of Dick, John and Fred and all their helpers, Dani and Terry, our chefs d’equipe, who told us where to be and when, and Boyd for so much help and keeping me breathing during the dressage, it was all of these things – and more. From the Hawkins team a big thank you to everyone for all your guidance, help and encouragement. Margi Hawkins STOP PRESS: Horse Pairs driver Claire Bourne has had a riding accident and broken her leg. We send our commiserations and hope she’ll be back on the scene in the not-too-distant future. 2005 Silver Camera Award Horses are the subject of the first three prize-winners’ photographs, with carriage driving featured in two of them. Hansjurgen Britsch of Germany, who specialises in equestrian photography, won first place with an action shot of a four-in-hand splashing at full speed through a water obstacle. Second prize went to Caren Firouz with a showjumping shot and third to Rainer Dill (above) for a close-up of driving horses’ legs in the sand in an obstacle. Route du Poisson 2005 The Route du Poisson is a 24-hour relay for heavy horses from Boulogne to Paris. Rowena McDermott of the Heavy Horse Driving Trials Group tells the tale of Team GB’s best result to date. The Route du Poisson or the Fish Run is held every two years as a re-enactment of the road taken by the fish mongers to get their catch to the Paris markets before it became inedible. It is now used as a vehicle to advertise the heavy horse and raise its popularity for driving now that the horse meat market has declined in France. Great Britain has contested the Route four times so far with no great success. On 20 September the team set out again from Dover with nine lorries, a catering van and the stores van, while the rest of the team travelled in four Land Rovers. In all we had 22 horses and some 56 team members. Each pair had a driver and groom and also had a lorry driver. The rest of the team consisted of Chef d’equipe and assistant, timing team, the vet, two change teams and a sweeper. Each pair of horses had to complete two stages of the 24 hour route into Paris and, due to the special events, two pairs had to do three stages. All horses were vetted, micro-chipped and weighed and measured before the event so that their handicaps could be calculated. The horses were accompanied on all but the aventuriere stages by the timing team and judge in a 4x4. For the aventuriere stage the route maps are given to the drivers when their incoming pair are 1km from the relay change otherwise the maps are given to the chef d’equipe on CD in August so briefing of the drivers for these stages is done in advance. The special events started on Thursday with the marathon obstacles, they were weighted with points according to difficulty. Two of the obstacles (one of which was the water) were compulsory the driver had to choose two of the remaining four obstacles. Each obstacle had a maximum time which if exceeded scored nothing and all had at least two knockdowns. Team GB did not get off to a good start with Tom Sampson having an argument with a tree in his second obstacle. This rather dampened the spirits of the team temporarily. The next special was the four in hand team change. This involved moving the wheelers into the lead and the leaders back into the wheel. Robert Sampsons team of Percherons, Willingham Axl, (stallion) Harbridge Flower (mare), stallion Claydon Arthur (Billy), and Harbridge Mac (Percheron cross gelding) had been practising with the grooms Tom Sampson and Mark Jenkins and change team Andy and Annie Cross and John McDermott for some weeks. Consequently the horses would happily drive in any position. This was most important as the incoming combination had to drive a cones course and once changed over the course had to be driven again with the new leaders. This proved a downfall for many teams who only drove well one way. Roberts team achieved their fastest change (1min 3secs) and with only one cone down came fourth, things were looking up, we had moved off the bottom. The relay itself moved off from Boulogne Quayside on Friday at 6pm with the teams leaving at 5 minute intervals, our lead off pair were Daniel Brown’s Suffolks Prince and Titan. Daniel lost time right at the end of his stage held up by the pair in front of him but after an appeal he was given as only two seconds late and a second place. The first change team then swung into action, unhitching the pair of Suffolks and hitching in The Working Horse Trusts pair of Ardennes Brunte (stallion) and his son Hamish driven by Richard James. As soon as Daniel’s pair were unhitched the change team began watering the two Suffolks whilst walking them to the vet check area. Although called a change team their most important function was to get the horses fit for the vetting. The heart rate should be below 80 beats per minute at five minutes, if not the horses have to wait a further 20 minutes and be checked again, if they fail at this point then they will take no further part in the competition and incur crippling penalties. Assisted by our team vet Sarah Coombes, the change team watered the horses non-stop up to the five minute check when both horses easily passed the vetting. Daniel could therefore get them boxed and move them onto their next start point where they would be fed and be able to relax before their second stage. Meanwhile Richard and his pair with Brian White as groom were heading for Frenq to hand over the route to Robert Sampson with Axl and Flower. Here again the other change team swapped the horses and began the cooling process on Richards pair, they came in two seconds over their allotted time and won their stage for us. Through out the night and all next day the change teams leapfrogged each other down the route to Paris carrying heaven knows how many gallons of water and Sarah and our sponsors Hilary and Tony Self from Hilton Herbs were at each change to encourage us. Robert with wife Barbara as groom arrived in Montreuil two seconds early to come third in their stage and hand on to Keith Carter and his son Daniel with Shire geldings Harvey and Sonny. They were 21 seconds early into the change with John McDermott and groom Bev Huntington and Percheron mares Dinamite and Moon (both back in the country of their birth). The early arrival was within the 3% window and so no penalties were incurred. John arrived bang on time to change with daughter Claire and her groom Jo Daniell and horses Molly and Henry (this was our only pair penalised by their handicap and so they had to travel 5% faster on their stages than the average pair). By now it was gone 1am and as we were waiting for Claire to leave, the disco music stopped for a moment and our team was announced at the 500 metre mark and that “les Anglais” were in ninth place, a definite boost. Claire left Vironchaux for Nouvion and a change with David Baker and his groom Dorothy Webb and Percheron mares Diamond and Chantney. Claire maintained our position by winning her stage coming in on the second. David completed his with three seconds to spare earning him a fourth place and at Abbeville handed over to Steve and Sue Jones with their Suffolks, Sultan and Jack, they were just a little too eager and came in early. At Long Daniel and Jessica Brown took over, this was Daniel’s pairs last stage as they would be going down to Clermont for the ridden special, Daniel was just a second adrift of perfect time and came second on this stage. Tom Sampson and Mark Jenkins with Billy and Mac took over the stage from Belloy sur Somme to Amiens just six seconds early they achieved a fifth place. In Amiens just as it was getting light Tom’s pair had to do a fast change with Richard Branscombes pair, Dylan and Monte. To make things a little more difficult they had to drive a couple of cones before and after the change. This was completed in 41 seconds putting them into second place. Completing his stage Richard and groom Trish Hills were one second early and came third. Late on Friday evening Richard and his pair had competed in the boat pull on Boulogne beach simulating the way that the boats used to be pulled out of the sea. This is not a popular competition with the British and Richard did very well to come ninth the highest position we have ever achieved in this special. The next few stages were aventuriere. Reading a map when bouncing along over rough tracks on the back of a marathon vehicle is not easy! John and Bev were the first GB pair to try the aventuriere stage from Hebecourt to Essertaux and due to a slight navigational error at a fork in the track travelled 1km more than they should have done. This meant a dash for the finish line and 58 penalties for late arrival it also meant that the fast finish had raised heart rates. The change team had to work hard to get the heart rates down, but they managed so Dinamite and Moon could relax and move onto their third and final stage. John however had remounted the vehicle to ride as Claire’s groom on her aventuriere stage as Jo didn’t feel confident about the map reading. Claire came into Croissy sur Celle along the old disused railway line six seconds slow to come fifth on that stage and hand over to Steve and Sue Jones for their Suffolks final stage. This was all off road along the old railway line ending at Crevecoeur where they handed over to Robert Sampson’s Percherons for their aventuriere stage. Thirty one seconds late earned Robert a twelfth place and a change with son Tom whose map stage took him along a used but unfenced railway line. We were assured that only two trains would use this line during the race and Tom got one of them, the horses looked mildly interested but kept on with the job in hand arriving at Beauvais four seconds early, keeping them well up the leader board. Keith and Daniel with their Shires left Beauvais armed with their maps for Bresles coming in right on time and winning another stage for us. At Bresles Richard James took over again on a map stage. This stage was quite rough and a few penalties were incurred for early arrival as Richard had decided to push on to counteract the slower parts of his route. The other Working Horse Trust pair with Richard Branscombe took over from them at Clermont heading for Cires le Mello and coming in a very respectable third to hand on to David Baker for his final stage into Chantilly past the Chateau on to the racecourse. David’s stage was again mostly off-road and very rough in places but he turned in a very creditable time to come second on this stage. Meanwhile the race had started again from Coye la Foret and was running simultaneously for a further two stages. These were the third stages for John’s and Claire’s pairs. John came into the end of this his last stage at Fontenay en Parisis just one second off perfect time to win this one. Claire then set out on the longest stage of the entire event at 19.5k. The length and timing of this stage had been changed the day before and so the time set was not to be exceeded although there was no penalty for early arrival. Claire’s pair were still full of going and at the end of something over a total of 40k in 36 hours vetted out in five minutes. By 10pm all our horses and team members were safely in Vincennes for a well earned night’s sleep. Thankfully the events on Sunday were not starting before 10am. Sunday started with a shower of rain but gradually cleared to leave warm sunshine. Our first event was a skills driving test using a reproduction 18th-century travelling coach. The test included picking up passengers so the coach had to pull up in the exact spot, backing around market stalls, crossing a bridge and negotiating “period” cones. David managed the cumbersome vehicle, which only had a quarter lock, very well to come sixth. The next event was a fun one, a ridden trotting race. Pippa Botting rode her Percheron, Brock Blossom (the Bottings two Blossoms had been our reserve pair). This race starts seriously but always ends up as a mad dash for the finish line to the great delight of the crowds in the stands. Meanwhile each chef d’equipe and time crew were invited to meet the Jury and discuss the results (not the placings, which at this point we didn’t have) this gave us a chance to correct time anomalies if the Jury agreed with us. Following these discussions the final results were announced. We had come second in the special events fourth in the relay and therefore on points we were third overall. This was a tremendous team effort from all those who took part. Special thanks must go to our sponsors. To Hilary and Tony Self of Hilton Herbs who have sponsored us so faithfully supplying rugs, clothing and particularly for supplying Sarah Coombes, the team vet, who made sure that all horses passed the vetting, Badminton Horse Feeds for the feed supplied to all the horses and Sea France for the help with the Ferry Crossings. Rowena McDermott. Junior Drivers News 2005 National Junior Championships Amanda Saville reports, with some additions from Jean Lane, Technical Delegate Horseboxes were rolling towards Escrick Park just south of York from Monday for the second National Junior Championships. Ireland were the first to arrive and settled in to a routine of training with Barry Capstick and chilling out the Irish way. The English came from Devon to Suffolk and a contingent of nine from Scotland. The rain on Friday night had many holding their breath as it was torrential, but it faired up to a superb weekend of sunshine from both the sky and the Juniors. Saturday saw 31 competitors perform the dressage in front of three judges, all of whom were delighted by the standard and commented on the improvement from last year, Katie Bell with her stunning black Welsh cob (called Cobb) won the overall lowest score and went on to complete a good cones round to keep first place in her class.
Jean Lane, Technical Delegate, adds “…Saturday night saw a lively but light-hearted games session – which the Irish excelled at cheating in. This was followed by entertainment mainly by the Irish who sang and recited traditional songs interspersed with a few diversions – ask me about getting a soaking? Everyone is looking forward to next year’s event that will be bigger and better and may eventually be tagged on to the National Championships at Windsor.” The English had Karen Bassett as their mentor and Ian Bertram had travelled down for the Scottish and they were seen to be giving helpful tips and moral support to their charges. With the Obstacles to be driven on the Sunday, there were groups to be seen working out the best routes. With a new 'Team Trophy' very kindly presented by Carriage Driving Ireland to play for, there were no chances to be left. The North East Driving Club very kindly loaned the use of three of their obstacles and equipment which helped the course builders no end. The other three were built specially, one being the design of a hot air balloon with the basket and lots of balloons decorating it, another were the flags of the nations competing and probably the most talked about was the spiral of road cones for the last one. Luckily all juniors finished the event safe and smiling, it makes all the work and time that the Stewards and Judges so genrously give, so worthwhile. The atmosphere from everyone made it such a happy event and the games in the marquee on the Saturday were something else. The Irish certainly know how to enjoy themselves and it’s really brilliant that they can come over with their stars of the future. Jean Lane adds, “This year the ‘International Element’ was seen to be getting stronger. The substantial group from Southern Ireland arrived on the Monday for the event that started on Saturday. They came equipped with team trainer, Barry Capstick, from day one. This should have given them a material advantage with the proximity of Dressage, Cones and Obstacle-Driving practice so close to the event itself. Indeed, so confident were they that they would run away with the Marathon Shield, which they kindly presented, that they almost apologised in advance that the Scots and English would only glimpse it briefly. However, such was not to be. Scotland and England not to be outdone, had their own team trainers. Ours was Karen Bassett who arrived at 3.30 pm Friday, but still managed to fit in an obstacle and cones walk and discussion. She also gave some specific help early Saturday to address various driving questions and dilemmas and then saw every English competitor as they warmed up for their dressage and gave tips and advice and helped settle some nerves. The marathon obstacles had a mix with a majority of fast flowing open challenges but a couple that were more technically demanding. It was perhaps these that taxed the confident Irish kamikaze tactics the most and unsettled them for the latter obstacles. Number six was based on a world championship design where competitors had to spiral into gate A in the centre and then drive various turns to work their way out again. Fast and accurate maintenance of as tight a route into the spiral made some distance up, with some of the turns deceptively difficult. In the marathon Scotland took the first two places in Class 1 with Katie Bell in third place. Her pony, Cobb, which can switch off in the cross-country, apparently followed a group of riders into the field and lit up as the obstacles were reached. Class 2 saw Mark in first just ahead of Scotland who had Hayley hot on their tails as well as England in fourth. Hayley did not have the advantage of her previous competitions with seasoned ponies or horses (Star and Sleepy) but had to contend with Riot, kindly loaned by Robin Hyde-Chambers, and not always as easy or consistent. She had also only driven Riot on a few occasions before. Class 3 went to Ireland. In class 4 Robin was third behind Ireland and Scotland. Robin was driving his less experienced pony and was up against strong opposition. Class 5 saw England take first with Claire Taylor. Claire’s marathon was excellent with some very fast times and again, the opposition was very tough with England’s experienced Amie Woodward in third and Chris Ainscough also an experienced competitor; he won the best marathon score of the day and the Irish Shield! Karen Bassett expressed her pride in how the English competitors had all done so well, and they in turn appreciated her unstinting support.” Amanda Saville continues, the English won the Team Trophy, but the Irish vow to take it back to Ireland next year. Katie and Mark Bell both won their classes with the lovely black cobs, also taking best Dressage and best Cones trophies back to Essex - well worth the journey for them. Paudie O'Sullivan won the 15-17 years class to a resounding cheer from his team mates. Olivia Dernie won the 18-21 class for Scotland and Chris Ainscough took the senior class in style, also winning the best marathon. A weekend to remember
for various reasons and the Junior Championship will be
back next year!
Hayley Carruthers (above, with Robin Hyde-Chambers’ Riot at the Junior Championships) came third at the Junior National Championships in October and says that training for the junior drivers helped her: “My third time with Amanda Saville’s Junior Clinic was just like the previous two: I found it very beneficial. The instructors helped improve my driving and made me more confident. I have since put these improvements into practice in competitions and look forward to the next Easter clinic. The clinic is an enjoyable few days for all Juniors.” HC Club News BHDTA Conference – Club Representatives Meeting Ten miles of stationary traffic on the motorway meant that I caught only the tail end of the morning’s meeting, but here’s a summary of the clubs’ reports and the later discussions for those of you who missed it. FP The meeting had a very positive feeling, chaired by Edmund Goodwin and attended by representatives from the Council and from 15 clubs from all points of the compass including the Scottish Carriage Driving Association (SCDA), Junior Chariots and Carriage Driving Sports Group for Drivers with Disabilities. Most of the clubs submitted written reports summarising their activities. These reveal that training is being pursued vigorously at many clubs, not only of drivers, backsteppers and horses but also judges, stewards and course-builders. The Great Western Harness Club spent six months re-writing its rule book. The North Eastern Driving Trials Ltd (NEDTL) and the Midlands Driving Trials Group Ltd encouraged more members of each other’s club to enter their events and this was successful in raising entries. NEDTL held an Annual Presentation Evening with 97 guests, four indoor driving events, a Helpers Lunch in February, Sheila Hawking’s Sponsored drive at Escrick in March (raising £2,800 for the British Heart Foundation and Diabetic Research and Wellness Association). An analysis of the 2004 and 2005 season’s events shows that seven events in 2004 had an average of 32 entries and six events in 2005 averaged nearly 36. Pre-novice and Novice drivers are being encouraged. There is one insurance claim in progress. Midlands’ encouragement of Pre-novice drivers is paying off, with a rise in entries by newcomers. Midlands auction of promises last year has paid for new equipment which was used this season. Overall they expect to break even financially. Judith Broom writes that Chester had a second year’s success at the National Trust’s Erddig venue plus an exciting new event at Arley Hall. They also want some new ideas for dressing their obstacles: answers on a postcard, please… The SCDA is an umbrella organisation for competitive driving in Scotland. Its very active year for its 197 members is meticulously planned with an omnibus schedule of co-ordinated activities which include training events for all contributors to horse driving trials, running the National event at Hopetoun, a points league - the best seven performances count towards the final placing, and links to other carriage driving associations locally and nationally. Mary and Vic Kusin write their newsletter and conduct the lively website, which also sports an active discussion forum. They are running a photo competition and have conducted an on-line survey for Carriage Driving magazine. They encourage new events with seed money and hold an annual conference with awards. The South Downs Harness Club’s (SDHC) drop in members resolved itself as the year progressed, back up to 150 and their programme of 22 social drives runs throughout the year. Their two-day event had a Pre-novice class for the first time and will be repeated next year, by popular demand. Their one-day event was held at a new venue and had an increased entry. Dressage and Cones competitions have attracted drivers new to the discipline. Their Annual Camp was well attended as was their Le Trec competition at the end of the summer. The White Horse Harness Club has held popular training events with the SDHC at Sparsholt subsidised with funding from the BHDTA, reports Jill Roberts, Secretary. White Horse sent 11 entries to the Indoor Finals at Keysoe in April and they brought home an impressive set of ribbons. They have run a backstep clinic, too. Sharing costs with the Heavy Horse Driving Trials Group, they ran a two-day event near Ringwood with some manic-sounding ridden activities – 17-hand “ponies” doing a bending race, going over a see-saw, among other things. Di Hayes is a much appreciated member of the club, despite having to find time to retain her National Open Horse Champion title. Forest Farm hosted a successful one-day event and weekend camp, too. Although the club no longer hosts a Novice Qualifier, their events are breaking records for entries and the quality of the experience they offer is as high as ever. In East Anglia Jean Lane and the Committee have provided extra entertainment in the evenings at events. We’ve enjoyed the Devil’s Horsemen, side-saddle and dog obedience displays all accompanying a barbecue on Saturday evenings, plus a jazz band. Five junior drivers from the club contributed to the England win at the Junior Championships at Escrick at the end of the season and several more from Essex and London also drove and supported the team. British Driving Society members have been wooed into coming along to events and our BDS Area Commissioners are generally positive, as they are in other areas. Wilf Bowman-Ripley’s carriage driving centre near Stansted in Essex remains a popular destination for training and competitions, with a new venue at Louise Garget’s family-run farm near Ely also beginning to attract visitors for training and practice. Borde Hill Country Fair and Novice Qualifier is an increasing success for the Brockham Harness Club in Sussex, as its well-supported South of England Carriage Driving Fair held at Ardingly show-ground in March, approaching its tenth year. Brockham members have given driving demonstrations at local shows and at the West Country Equine Fair in October to raise awareness of our sport. Members show no interest in private driving, despite several attempts, writes Nigel Dipple, Chairman: they are far keener to take part in the series of indoor trials and outdoor competitions, which the club organises. Bradbourne Carriage Driving Centre is the focus of Bradbourne Driving Club’s 80 members’ activities. Novice and intermediate drivers are especially well catered for with an indoor arena, sand school, their own fields and clubhouse writes committee member Tricia Jones. Driving for pleasure and safety is the main appeal. A small, financially sound club among many in the south-east of England, Bradbourne tries hard to maintain entries at events by co-ordinating dates with other local clubs and is discussing holding a joint one-day event. Their concerns at the moment are the rising costs of first aid cover and insurance especially the cover offered for children at events, and problems associated with re-assessing members who’ve had driving accidents. Martin Holgate, Chairman of the Oaks Driving Club, reports that their indoor and outdoor events are well supported. New members are supported and helped by the more senior members of this friendly group at training days and events. They are one of the few groups which still runs an Annual Show. Many of their contented 130 members help to run – or compete at – Brighton and Normanhurst National events. Carol Gregory, Chairman, reports that the Wolverley and District Driving Club’s training, with and without horses, has been well supported and their liaison with the local BDS contributed to a successful Junior Drivers’ Camp in the summer. They used a grant from the BHDTA for training with Judith Broom and Robert Buck. They manned an obstacle at the World Pony Championships at Catton in July. They have been actively raising the profile of carriage driving throughout their area, are having success bringing on junior drivers and have made donations to the Motor Neurone Disease and the Air Ambulance charities. They are hoping not to get thrown out of the hotel where they hold their AGM this year: last year their speaker was a coach horn enthusiast… The Carriage Driving Sports Group for Drivers with Disabilities Group Chairman Margaret Brockie reported that in its four-year existence it has achieved its aims of supporting and encouraging its members to compete in horse driving trials. Additionally, it selects and trains drivers to join the teams for the biennial World Championships for Drivers with Disabilities. Training takes place at Escrick Park in Yorkshire and at Chris van Reen’s venue in Hertfordshire. The Group is especially appreciative of the clubs and National event organisers who welcome and make provision for their members so they can enjoy the sport, too. Although the Red Rose Carriage Club has meetings all year and holds indoor driving competitions in the spring, its main focus is to encourage people to get more fun out of driving. Margaret Brockie, Honorary Secretary, says the club welcomes members from the local northern driving trials groups on a day-membership basis. Most clubs have websites and use these as well as regular paper and/or email newsletters to keep their members up-to-date. Many of our top drivers and trainers are very generous with the time they devote to their local clubs and “improving” drivers at all levels, and there is far more interest in being trained among club members, especially novices, than there used to be. Among those involved are Di Hayes, Sara Howe, Rachel Stevens, Georgina Frith, Karen Bassett, Margi Hawkins, Wilf Bowman-Ripley, Judith Broom, Anna Grayston, Robert Buck, Jo Rennison, Pippa Bassett, Mark Broadbent and Diana Brownlie. Naturally, many clubs have insurance costs and sometimes ongoing claims in mind and, although BHDTA Treasurer Derrick Mayes hopes to see the insurance market soften a little next year, he doesn’t believe there will be any reduction in costs, just possibly smaller increases. Additional issues of information and discussed at the meeting included: * From 1 January 2006, everyone working with young people will be asked to supply an enhanced Police Check from the Criminal Records Bureau instead of self-disclosure. Everyone working with children is recommended to attend a “Duty of care and child protection course”. These are run by the British Horse Society, three hours’ long and cost roughly £22 - £28. Find out more from Pat Gaywood, 01689 872747, p.gaywood@bhs.org.uk * The basis of the calculation for the affiliation fee has changed for clubs. Details will be published in the next issue of Carriage Horse and on the website. * Assessment of competence and re-assessment (after an incident or perhaps when there was a change of turnout, class or horse) was a cause for concern. Everyone seemed to agree that it is very hard to do and there was some feeling that more guidance was needed and, possibly, somebody representing the BHDTA might be the best person to do this. * There was considerable discussion resulting from questions from the floor about insurance cover, children driving at events, assessment and re-assessment of members’ competence. * The Chester Horse Driving Trials Group would like to promote a “Clubs National Championship” for non-National drivers. This idea was received very positively. FP
If you have any comments to make about this report, the meeting or about the Conference weekend, do write to me or to the Office with your thoughts. Please mark them for publication if you’d like them to be shared. Scottish Equestrian Association Equine Fair 28-29 October 2005, Ingliston Stud Farm. Bishopton, near Glasgow Airport The Equine Fair was organised by the Scottish Equestrian Association (the Scottish branch of the BEF) to promote equestrian sport. Dressage, show jumping, eventing, carriage driving and vaulting were among the disciplines being showcased. Two days of demonstrations included a "World-cup" style driving competition with cones and obstacles as well as demonstrations of different driving turnouts and a chance for spectators to "try a sport" by having a go at driving themselves. The SCDA also set up and manned a stand with displays and videos of carriage driving, the SCDA and BHDTA websites and information literature about the sport. We would like to thank all our members who turned out for the two days to man the stands and put on the displays. See the SCDA website for more information – www.scda.co.uk VK Training Mark Broadbent of Fenix Carriages is booked to teach at Forest Farm on Saturday 19 November and Saturday 10 December. Although he is fully booked on those Saturdays, he could be available at Forest Farm, subject to sufficient demand, for either teaching or carriage servicing, on Sunday 20 November and Sunday 11 December. If you are interested, please contact Mark (or Jo) direct: 01363 866532 or www.fenixcarriages.co.uk South of England Carriage Driving Fair 2006 Britain’s largest indoor carriage driving show, organised by Brockham Harness Club, is at the South of England Showground, Ardingly, West Sussex on Sunday, 12 March and celebrates its tenth year. The show offers carriage driving enthusiasts and newcomers to the sport the excitement of a live sporting event with all the entertainment of top quality attractions and has become recognised as the start of the driving season. The programme in the main arena starts at 10am and combines thrilling competition, instructional and informative displays and sheer entertainment from the country’s leading carriage drivers and equestrian personalities. There will be a large range of trade stands and full bar and catering facilities under cover and with free parking and free admission for children: it’s the perfect family day out. Tickets are available on the door, but for more information or advance tickets call 01483 276936 or visit www.brockhamharnessclub.co.uk Join us in the company of renowned drivers such as: Boyd Exell, Karen Bassett, Georgina Frith, Pippa Bassett, Di Hayes and Dick Lane. Main arena attractions include International Horse Team competition, the Fenix Carriages Quick Change Coaching Competition, Private Driving with The BDS, Heavy Horse Power, Scurry Competition, Breed Displays, RDA Driving, The Gary Docking Makeover, Trade Vehicles, Baileys Challenge, Masterclass with top trainers, Ridden Dressage, and there’s the ‘Suck it and See Hour’, a chance to drive a single or a pair under the expert supervision of leading whip Gary Docking. We are also very pleased to welcome from Holland – Aart van de Kamp with his show complete with three of his famous Shetland teams, Aart has also thrown down a challenge to take on GB pony team drivers in an exciting head to head competition. A new feature introduced last year was the veterinary corner which will be repeated with expert advice available throughout the day . Everyone has a chance to scoop the ultimate prize, a Tedex Harness, kindly donated by Fiona Tedman of Zilco in the Grand Draw. Whether you are looking for information, new products and ideas or want to enjoy a mesmerising day’s entertainment, come to Ardingly for all the fun of the fair on Sunday, 12 March 2006 p.s. The single horse class will be using the fair to launch its fund raising efforts for 2006 so come along and support Team GB members. Events Diary 2005 - 2006 NOTICE TO ALL AFFILIATED CLUBS Please enter the details of your events on the website or send your dates to the Office as soon as you can to be included in this listing. 12 March South of England Carriage Driving Fair, Ardingly, West Sussex. Tickets on the door or in advance – contact 01483 276936 or www.brockhamharnessclub.co.uk 25-26 March – Indoor Horse Driving Trials Championship Finals, The College EC, Keysoe, Beds. See www.indoordriving.co.uk NOVICE QUALIFIERS The 2006 Novice Qualifiers, run at Club Events, are listed below and are in addition to those in the National Calendar:- 1-2 April - Forest of Dean, Chepstow 8-9 April - North East DTG, Escrick Park 22-23 April - Midlands DTG, Thoresby Park 20-21 May - Windsor Park, Windsor 17-18 June - Chester DTG, Poulton 19-20 August - Northern Ireland, Necarne 19-20th August - Brockham Harness Club, Borde Hill, Sussex This will make a total of 17 Novice Qualifiers throughout the country over the coming 2006 season. This year, 2005, a total of 15 Novice Qualifier events ran with 82 ponies and 125 horse entries. Only eight ponies and 12 Horses competed at the SsangYong National Driving Championships at Windsor in September. Your news wanted! Please send us your personal news, club newsletters – photos - amusing, informative, opinions, facts. All gratefully received. The next issue of Carriage Horse is planned to hit your doormats in January. Please send articles, letters and items for publication to reach us as soon as possible. Please send paper letters and your faxes to the Office and emails to the Editor, cc: the Office – thanks! Contact details are inside the front cover. THB British Equestrian Novice Points Leagues THB British Equestrian Insurance Brokers Ltd are kindly continuing to sponsor the Novice Driver Points Leagues. Points are awarded in Novice Qualifier classes at National and Club events down to sixth place, with six points for winning and one point for coming sixth, the best six placings to count for the final result. Find out more about BEIB on 01732 771719. Below are the totals at 2 October: Novice Driver Single Pony: Lynzi Bennett 29, Dawn Tebbett 28, Gary Brown 21, Jacky Jeffrey 18, Glenys Ellis 17, Jeff Omerod 16, Dawn Emmerson 14, James Broome 13, Gary Turnwell 12, Trisha Luxton 9, Cathy Willis 8, Carol Lamble 6, Edd Kingsbury/Janet Pilling/Nicola Jenn/Gina McCann/Zan Kirk/Tim Bailey 5, Mike Watts/Ruth Lancaster/Ben Edmed 4, Michael Wall/Terry Kirkby/Susan Don 3, Sandra Johnson/Chrissie Osborne/Michael Kilpatrick/Linda Twitchen 2, Maggie Crackroft-Eley /James Noel Stewart 1 Novice Driver Single Horse: Mike Howard 33, Julia Crockford 22, Chris Smith 21, Geoffrey Kirby 20, Rosie Owen 15, Alec Jeffrey/Nicole Petch 10, Louise McCutcheon 9, Mike Fallowell 9, Phillip Reeves 8, Rachel Woollett/Amie Woodward 6, Zoë Morgan/A. Snow 5, Portia Kennaway/Lyndsey Brown 4, Lindsay Tyas 3, Lindsay Faloon 2, Claire Taylor 1 Fenix Carriages Points Leagues 2005 Fenix Carriages, based near Tiverton, Devon, are kindly sponsoring the Open and Multiples classes’ Points Leagues throughout the season. Points are awarded at National events down to tenth place, first place having ten points and tenth having one point. The best six of an individual driver’s placings count towards the final result. The rules and latest results can be seen on the BHDTA website. Find out more about Fenix Carriages from their website, www.fenixcarriages.co.uk, or call Mark Broadbent, 01363 866532. Wanted Box trailer for two horse pair carriages. External measurements – 15 feet long by 7 foot 6 inches wide (approx.) Margi Hawkins 01548 821218 For Sale Members can advertise here, free for non-trade items, up to 50 words. Please give a contact name, number and your local town or county and include the price and size. Contact me to run the advert again. FP |