The official newsletter of the British Horse Driving Trials Association

 August 2002 on-line edition

The German drivers put up an impressive performance to take all the medals at the European Pony Teams Championships at Sandringham. The individual gold medal went to Dirk Gerkins who overtook marathon winner and fellow team-mate Gerhard Gerich in the cones. The depth of talent in the German squad was highlighted by the fact that all six drivers finished within the top ten. Emily Bennett was the highest placed British driver in 12th.

Following the postponement of the 2001 Championships and so few events before the closing date, the selectors had the unenviable task of choosing a team of three, and six individuals, from the total of 11 pony teams. All were very short of match practice and in many cases were fielding untried combinations. However one advantage of hosting a major championship on home territory is that at least the venue is familiar even if the obstacles aren’t. Chef d’Equipe Bob Johnston , worked hard for the team and his caravan was at the centre of the British camp with Yvonne cheerfully keeping the coffee on the brew. All the competing nations were treated to a very informative and interesting visit to Her Majesty the Queen’s Sandringham Stud on the Wednesday afternoon hosted by Joe Grimwade who had also bravely taken on the mantle of Show Director, followed on Thursday evening by a Reception in the Ballroom at Sandringham House hosted by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, who thrilled the visitors by touring the room and speaking to all the competitors individually, a moment for them to remember.

The veterinary commission did their stuff on Thursday and with all the British ponies passed as fit, the Dressage phase commenced on Friday on the superb newly laser-levelled Dressage Arena (thanks to Edmund Goodwin). With the turf short and the surface firm carriages were rolling along virtually of their own volition for the first time this year and this gave the competitors a few problems, and the British team score was just out of Bronze medal position.

By Saturday the international rivalry was intensifying and with the Marathon phase underway Germany was showing us all how to do it with an awesome display of speed and daring. Emily Bennett was the best placed of the Brits, The marathon phase was completed in lovely weather, over good going, on a well flagged course and the foreign competitors all enjoyed a wonderful drive round the estate.

Opinion was divided over whether the obstacles designed and built by Christian Iseli and George Prince were technical enough, perhaps favouring the speed merchants rather than the technicians, but with no eliminations, no accidents despite the speeds involved, and only one retirement, the course was remarkable in that respect. At the informal dismounted prize giving for the Dressage and Marathon phases on Saturday evening the British team and supporters equipped with flags and bandanas gave Prince Philip a very rousing reception as he accepted his rosette for his excellent 7^th place in the Dressage. Definitely the best lot of groupies on the park! Sadly no placings for the Brits in the Marathon, but with Emily going the best and en route for a good result.

Sunday again dawned fair and the cones course walk had the competitors scratching their heads. With some turns impossibly close to the side of the arena and double rein changes for most cones this was not a course for the faint hearted or those driving inexperienced teams. With overnight scores very close, there were clearly going to be some changes of position. The competitors were divided into two sections and the majority of the British competitors had something resembling a block booking for the morning session! There were some high and low scores posted throughout the morning by those competitors whose ambitions for glory hadn’t quite gone according to plan, so the course did prove to be driveable. It proved so again, in the very tense final afternoon session with placements changing dramatically all the way to the very top. The Germans took the honours for the team ahead of Belgium and the Netherlands, as well as all the individual medals. Emily was the best placed Brit in 12^th place.

Our thanks go to all those who gave their time, expertise and determination, few of whom ever see their names in print. Judges have the thankless task of sorting us all out, headed by Helmut Kolouch who was clearly overwhelmed by being asked to take the salute during one the of the thrilling King’s Troop performances, and our thanks go to them too. The Organising committee managed the event and the weather superbly to conclude a very friendly although hotly contested Championships. In the Golden Jubilee year Sandringham proved to be a superb location for the event, and our thanks go to Her Majesty the Queen for allowing the Championships to be staged there.

Single Horse drivers selected for World Championships

The British team for the World Single Horse Championships at Conty, France (28th August to 1st September) was named at Catton Park Horse Driving Trials. They are (from left to right above) Di Hayes driving Hamewith Culmellie, David Matthews driving Carnwallon Boneddar and Angela Flanagan with Samuel Penny. Jimmy Robson finished a close fourth in the selection points league and is named as the non-travelling reserve.

Di Hayes from Wiltshire was selected in 2000 for the Championships due to be held at Gladstone, USA, which were unfortunately cancelled due to West Nile Fever. She has had an outstanding season with wins at Hopetoun, Newnham and Catton with an increasingly impressive Marathon performance to add to her excellent Dressage.

The youngest member of the team, David Matthews, is a farrier from Buckingham. He is sponsored by Osborne Refrigerators, and was until recently better known as one of the country’s outstanding Scurry Drivers, but he has put up some impressive performances this year with the Welsh Cob owned by his parents with wins in the Landrover International Driving Grand Prix at Royal Windsor and at Sandringham.

Angela Flanagan from Leicestershire was a top novice in 1998 and only started in open competition with Samuel Penny in 2000. She gained some valuable experience competing abroad last year during the Foot and Mouth closure in this country, and has this year won at Brighton and Catton Park.

The Chef d’Equipe for the team will be René Schoop, assisted by Trevor Harding.

We wish them every success.

The British team selected to represent Great Britain at the World Equestrian Games in Jerez (18 to 21 September) will be led by George Bowman who has the amazing record of having competed in every World/European Championship since 1972, so there can be no more experienced driver in the world. At the other end of the scale, Dick Lane has made remarkable progress with the team of Lippizaners he bought from Pippa Bassett, and only made his debut in this class at the end of 2000. This season he won at Hopetoun and Sandringham, and finished at the top of the Selection League. The third team member is Barry Capstick who first represented Great Britain in the World Horse Pairs Championships at Zwettl in 1991. He was a member of the British Team at the World Horse Teams Championships at Wolfsburg in 2000, and will be driving Sydney Smith’s team of horses. The fourth driver, who will be competing as an individual, will be Karen Bassett who has represented Great Britain at the last three World Championships.

The non-travelling reserve is Wilf Bowman-Ripley, who has made a very impressive start to his team driving career in only his first season. He drives Geoff Woods’ team of horses.

FARLEIGH HOUSE HDT  by Felicity Vero

As we made our way to Farleigh in the pouring rain, I felt that the Golden Jubilee weekend was not getting off to a very auspicious start. Thankfully, I was wrong and although most people had to be towed on and off the show ground the weather improved and by Saturday we were basking in lovely sunshine. There was a large entry resulting in 3 dressage arenas in action all day on the Friday. From the Novice classes Sue Starnes took the lead in the pony class from Sheenagh Braxton — a lead she maintained throughout the competition- as did Joanna Sugden from the Novice Horse class. Liza Wood won the dressage with her open pony from Luke Axel-Berg in 2nd and Sue Mart in 3rd but sadly for Liza, she tipped up in Obstacle 2 on the marathon and was taken to hospital with a broken leg. I am sure everyone wishes her well and hopes to see her back before too long. Jo Rennison, fresh from her win at Royal Windsor led the pony pairs, but Trevor Kimber overtook Rachel Stevens and her relatively inexperienced pair on the marathon to finish runner-up. A large single horse class saw Di Hayes in her customary first position after Dressage just ahead of Royal Windsor, David Matthews who just failed to catch her on the Marathon. Alan Clarke and Sadie Butcher shared first place after Dressage in the pony tandems, but unnecessary penalties incurred by Alan who put his groom down after the last obstacle to unhook a rein dropped him and it was Marathon winner Susan Skeggs who came through to win. Colin Allen led the horse tandems throughout ahead of Karl Read and Fred Pendlebury.

Terry Selway won every phase in the Horse Pairs class giving his wife Danielle a happy 40th birthday! Terry has certainly come back to Driving Trials with a vengeance! James Jeffery drove a good marathon to finish in 2nd with Peter Morris 3rd. Beverly Mellstrom with her pony team was over the moon when she learned that she had won the dressage phase but very sadly, despite driving the marathon obstacles in fine style, was eliminated on Section D as one of her grooms had removed her hard hat! As there was only one more event before the European Pony Teams, a lot of the pony teams were really going for it! Victory eventually went to Emily Bennett, who had finished in 2^nd place in Dressage just ahead of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. John Pickford did really well to finish second on the marathon and score the only double clear in the cones phase despite not having time to walk the obstacles as many times as he would wish. Being Event Chairman doesn't allow for such luxuries!!

Boyd Exell and Barry Capstick both drove good Dressage tests which gave Boyd a slight edge over Barry, driving Sydney Smith's horses. Unfortunately, Barry came to grief in Obstacle 2, resulting in his retiring from the marathon with injuries to his leg. Boyd went on to win the class from Dick Lane and Karen Bassett.

The Marathon section had been reduced to a 3 section marathon but there were still a number of horses/ponies that ran out of puff, not helped by the fact that the ground was holding after Thursday's rain and the temperature had soared on Saturday. The cones course set in the superbly situated main arena, in the grounds of Farleigh House, was both long and twisty and certainly tested the accuracy of the driver and suppleness of the horses! There were only a few double clears which on the whole did not affect the overnight leaders but did alter some of the other placings.

Congratulations to John and Angie Pickford and their committee for all the hard work that goes into running such an event. It was a very happy event and of course special thanks to the Earl of Portsmouth for allowing the event to take place on his beautiful Hampshire estate in the heart of Farleigh Wallop.

Hopetoun House HDT

This year’s event at Hopetoun House became something of a challenge for everyone involved. The weather was appalling at the beginning of the week, lorries had to be towed in, and the rain did not let up until after the horses and ponies had slogged their way around the very muddy Dressage arenas. It was a blessing that the newly laid Dressage arena adjacent to the stabling area was not considered ready for this event – and we look forward to using that next year. It was a tragedy for the organising committee who had gone to enormous trouble to set up a spectacular event. They must have been thankful that their office was a former breast screening trailer set well above ground level, but a series of duck-boards were required to keep visitors out of the 18 inches of water lying between the roadway and the office!

Ian Gilbert’s Marathon obstacles were challenging but fair, but the testing conditions found out those animals that were not fit enough. One horse who revelled in the tough conditions was Di Hayes’s hackney mare Hamewith Culmellie, who flew round the marathon to take over the lead from Sarah Clinghan and her hackney Highmoor Firecracker who had completed a remarkably smooth Dressage test on the Friday, given the appalling ground conditions.

Sue Corlett, over from the Isle of Man for the summer, took the lead in the Single Pony class after an inspired marathon, ahead of Amanda Saville.

Vivienne Rome and John Attenborough moved into commanding leads after the Marathon in the Pony Pairs and Horse Pairs classes respectively, but it was somewhat closer in the Horse Teams class where Dressage leader Dick Lane just held on to his lead from George Bowman, but had less than a cone in hand. The only turnover of the day occurred in this class when Philip Owen hit a post in the water obstacle. Luckily his young team of Friesian horses took the upset in their stride and stood calmly while the carriage was righted and the driver and crew reunited before continuing on their way to complete the course.

Anne Gilbert extended her Dressage lead in the Pony Tandems, and in the Horse Tandems, Fred Pendlebury with an exciting new leader in his tandem consolidated his lead over Karl Read and his experienced roan horses. It was good to see the former owner of these horses, Leslie McRonald, among the spectators on Marathon day.

The weather was perfect for Marathon day, and the sun shone for the Cones as well. The course was cleverly designed but demanded concentration to ensure that the right gate was negotiated where some were placed closely together. Sadly a number of competitors were eliminated for errors of course, including Single Pony leader Sue Corlett, which enabled Rita McGregor to score her first win. In the single horse class, the cones were reversed to the international profile, and there was some controversy when Sarah Clinghan, unaware of the change, came into the arena with hoops on her vehicle. Hoops could not be for international cones , and it was therefore agreed that Sarah could go out and remove her hoops and then drive the course after the final competitor Di Hayes, when the cones would be re-measured to her narrower vehicle to give her the same allowance as the other competitors in her class. Di had a cone down, so Sarah knew that if she could drive clear, she could take the class. Sadly this was not to be, because after a couple of cones down, Sarah lost concentration and took the wrong course resulting in elimination.

There were few changes in the order at the top of other classes, although some competitors just scraped home to victory after some nail-biting rounds. In the Novice classes, the Horse Division was won by Paul Stringer who led throughout with his Welsh x Hackney Briardale Rocket; he was closely followed by Pam Neill and Lynda Christian. Alison Maynard from Lockerbie moved up from last in Dressage to win the Pony division after good Marathon and Cones rounds.

The fourth phase of the competition was getting out of the showground, and competitors worked with the organisers to eventually get everyone out – mostly with the aid of a tow from one, and sometimes two, tractors. The organisers really worked tirelessly all weekend to overcome huge obstacles – and somehow managed to keep smiling. There really was a “Dunkirk spirit” about the event, and few of those who attended will forget it in a hurry! Many thanks to everyone who worked so hard to keep the event going.

Sandringham HDT

David Reigns Again!

Does David Matthews only like Royal venues? Never having won at a National Event he takes the title at Royal Windsor then at Sandringham. And did he take Sandringham in style – 1^st in all 3 phases. He was closely challenged by other contenders for the World Singles Team but absolutely flew in the obstacles to retain his lead.

Sandringham, sponsored by Bernard Matthews, was a brilliant event, the sun shone but it was quite cool because of the wind. There were three dressage arenas with the newly rebuilt and laid main arena (brilliant job Edmund) standing up incredibly well to all the FEI European Pony Teams competitors and the Horse teams. I’m sure it will recover from the Kings Troop. For the other national competitors Arena A was easy to find but one or two had problems finding Arena B with a couple of close shaves on starting times. There wasn’t enough time to go back for forgotten (or lost) numbers which gave one competitor a big fright when threatened with elimination.

All the ponies did their marathon on the Saturday. A crash in Hazard 5 made a flying Keith Podmore retire from the single pony class, and on exactly the same post the next competitor Sara Howe made her nudge bar act as a permanent brake so her nearside front wheel wouldn’t go round! It didn’t slow her down very much, and she finished 3^rd on the marathon. A delighted Amanda Saville won this phase by 3.7 penalties from Heather Kinner. A disappointing cones dropped her to 7^th but Sara’s perseverance on the marathon earned her the win.

There’s a report about the Pony Teams elsewhere but I have got to say I have never seen driving like it with incredible speed and precision from the Germans and Dutch in particular.

National pony pairs included a nasty tip up and runaway for Julie Hoskyns in Hazard 6 and a brilliant win by Jo Rennison. Whilst ‘only’ 3^rd on the marathon she was 1^st in the other two phases. Trevor Kimber’s marathon round was spectacular but a disastrous cones dropped him to 3^rd.

The Earl of Onslow was in the lead after the dressage in the tandem class and he had a good marathon but those horrible cones dropped him to 7^th. Lady Romsey, 2^nd in dressage and an excellent 1^st on the marathon also didn’t like the cones course and ended 2^nd behind David Taylor.

Sunday was the turn of the Horses on the marathon with the first single competitors getting to the obstacles about 10.30. At that stage there were few spectators but they missed some superb driving and very fast times, notably by David, Jimmy Robson and Di Hayes.

Horse Pairs followed with Terry Selways ‘bootiful’ horses holding on to his lead, 1^st in Dressage and Cones, and winning the marathon by 5.4 penalties, although he was chased by Jimmy Jefferies.

Grooms from the Horse teams kept getting their feet wet in Hazard 3, the water, which was very tight and twisty in places. Luckily Barry Capstick didn’t need to get down with his gammy foot – that boot he’s wearing might have got stuck in the mud. (Poor Barry had knocked down his second cone in three years on Saturday but still improved his placing!). There were 3 double clears in the Horse Teams class out of only six over the two days.

A huge crowd followed father George Bowman and Karen Bassett along the hazards as they fought over the fastest marathon times but a lovely round by Dick Lane, nearly 11 penalties quicker than George gave him the title.

There were some corrected courses, including one by a competitor who hadn’t gone wrong (!) and some eliminations in the tandem class but this was won in fine style by Colin Allen.

What a weekend, sunshine, huge crowds, brilliant (and some not so brilliant) driving. The BHDTA tent was doing a roaring trade; The Hog Roast queue was about 60 people long; Flags of all the European countries being waved and worn; Micro Marc commentating from horseback and riding his horse into the Jubilee marquee; the Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery; this list could be endless. Well done Sandringham and the new organisers; thanks Bernard Matthews and others for sponsorship.

Next year how about a beer tent in the stabling area?

Catton Park HDT

What an absolutely fabulous venue, situated on a large flat field about the size of four polo pitches. Dressage and Cones were performed on the same field; international drivers were given a separate field to practise in. The Marathon obstacles were only a stone’s throw away, so again not a lot of hill work.

Friday we had brilliant sunshine, so if you didn’t get the Dressage score you had hoped for, at least you didn’t get wet! Friday night the heavens opened and the loser was sadly the beer tent as no-one could be bothered to battle the rain, and there were literally only a handful of people there.

Saturday was a mixture weather wise, when the sun came it were glorious, then nasty showers. Thankfully the paramedics had a lazy day, but there was still some excitement at the obstacles. In the Single Horse class one driver fell into the well of her cart going down the bridge, and the horse just had to trot around the water until she got herself reassembled back into her seat.

Course builder George Prince was in a quandary when a horse pair came over the bridge, jumped into the water and took out a 45-gallon drum half-full of concrete, which then had to be lifted back into place. George called for the JCB, but while waiting, wife Doreen had to bring him his wellies and his tool box, and poor George took a bit of barracking from the crowds! It was all fairly good-humoured, although George did will certain drivers to knock cones down the next day (and they did!).

Adrian Puddy ran into trouble at Obstacle 2 which had a horrendous hill to climb to Gate E at an angle. When asking his leaders to turn at the top, one of his wheelers fell in and the carriage wheel got caught between the E posts. The horse fell down, people ran to his assistance. (I was a wimp and hid behind a tree until the horse was at least back on his feet!) With the help of many including Fred Pendlebury, Adrian put the team back into draught and had a play in Obstacle 3 before driving them home. Well done Adrian!

Sunday brought the sunshine again. Cones started at 9 o’clock prompt. And I heard over the loudspeaker on more than one occasion about people not being suitably dressed to walk the cones (perhaps they had too much to drink on Saturday night and just forgot).

The cones course was a simple plan but with complex angles that caused a number of problems in the tight time which has been used at most events this season.

I am sure all the competitors will join me in huge thanks to Robin and Katie Neilson and their organising committee, and to the judges and the many stewards. Thank you – and for those that did not attend, either to drive or spectate, go next year – I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

Henbury Hall HDT

On 25^th July HM The Queen opened the "Friendly Games” in Manchester; nearby at Henbury Hall competitors gathered for the "Friendly Event". Among the competitors was HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, and while the media made great play on his attending many sporting venues in Manchester, sadly none reported that he was himself competing at the Henbury Horse Driving Trials.

Henbury enjoyed wonderful weather, a change from the wet muddy conditions earlier this year.  Dressage caused no great surprises, and following a very pleasant incident free day, competitors attended a drinks party hosted by the President of the event Mr Sebastian de Ferranti. Here John Richards, this years High Sheriff for Cheshire and one of our " Vintage” Carriage Drivers, presented a photograph album to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.  The album had been put together by the late Mrs Naomi de Ferranti and contained photographs of the past 29 years of HRH's involvement with Carriage Driving.  Also present were a number of drivers from HRH's early days in the then “Combined Driving Competition” including Albert Menaged, Jack Collinson, George Bowman and of course John Richards.

Marathon day started cool but gradually the clouds cleared and the event was bathed in sunshine. Tom McGregor, the first away on the marathon, ejected his groom in Obstacle 5, and the second competitor Judy Hilditch turned over at the same place., sustaining a broken ankle.  But thankfully, after this alarming start, the obstacle drove well.

Obstacle 8 was the downfall of a number of competitors, and 11 were eliminated.  Those eliminated had not realised they had to go wide of the tree before they turned to ensure that their rear axle had cleared the line of Gate A.

After the marathon Dawn Hunter retained her lead in the Single Pony class with Liza Wood’s “Mattie”, as did Emily Bennett in the Pony Teams.  Douglas Strachan dropped to 4th in Pony Pairs where Gary Power took the lead.  Terry Selway, equal with Peter Morris after Dresage in Horse Pairs, moved ahead after the Marathon, while in Pony Tandems Lesley Cox led John Garlick.  The Single Horse Dressage leaders, Di Hayes and Boyd Exell, were both eliminated in Obstacle 8, allowing Jimmy Robson to take the lead in this class.  George Bowman was the clear leader in both Dressage and Marathon in Horse Teams .  Karen Bassett overtook Barry Capstick to take 2nd place, but only 2 cones separated 2nd to 5th places.

Despite 20 cones penalties, Dawn Hunter retained her 1st position in the Single Pony class over Sue Denny who drove a double clear.  In the Pony Teams class, the first two competitors into the arena on eliminated scores (Obstacle 8 again), Ursula Hirschberg and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, both drove excellent double clears. Unfortunately the rest of the class could not equal this, and Lord Onslow, after a promising marathon with his new team, encountered problems in the box and retired. Emily Bennett went on to win ahead of John Pickford and Beverly Mellstrom. Gary Power and Lesley Cox retained their winning positions in the Pony Pairs and Tandems respectively.

The Single Horse class saw a second win of the season for Angela Flanagan, after Jimmy Robson incurred time penalties as well as dislodging two balls. Terry Selway scored another win in Horse Pairs, and Karl Read completed an impressive double clear to take the Horse Tandems. The only double clear in the Horse Teams class was driven by Dick Lane, but he could not catch George Bowman who finished ahead of Karen Bassett and Barry Capstick. It was good to see Fred Pendlebury back with a horse team and he finished a close fourth.

Henbury Hall is a delightful setting and all thanks to Sebastian de Ferranti for letting us use the Park; also to Wendy and Mike Brookes and their team of helpers for organising the event which was great fun.  It was unfortunate that not all competitors were aware of the potential problem in obstacle 8.  Most of those eliminated accepted their fate with grace or humour; sadly there was an exception who tackled the obstacle stewards directly. Please competitors, don't take it out on the stewards for eliminating you. Many like rugby and football referees know the rules better than the players.  They only apply them; if you feel you have been unjustly eliminated and consider the elimination was not within the rules then make an official appeal, otherwise keep quiet or treat it with humour, as did one competitor - he sent a note to the stewards to say "Good job we no longer put people in the Tower”! 

Through his company, Hungary 2002, Joe Pullen is organising a trip to the World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain, and still has a few rooms remaining. The dates for the first week are from 9 – 16 September and for the second week 16 – 23 September (the Driving is in the second week).

Flights will be from Manchester or Luton to Malaga, and on arrival in Malaga, transport will be by luxury coach to Cadiz. The coach will be available for the duration of the trip.

Accommodation for the week will be at a four-star hotel which is situated only 200 yards from a beautiful sandy beach with a good selection of restaurants in the nearby town.

The cost of the 7-day trip (including air fare and accommodation (2 sharing a room) is £540.

For further details phone Joe on 0161 790 1545.

Club News

Lincolnshire DTG

The Lincolnshire Driving Trials Group are delighted to be hosting the Bennington Challenge at Grimsthorpe Castle, Nr. Bourne on 28-29^th September 2002. This 2-day event is open to all with everyone competing as individuals, stating their club with a special bronze sculpture to the winner. The LDTG Club Championships will be run in conjunction with the “Bennington Challenge”.

Grimsthorpe Castle makes for a superb setting and is easily accessible off the A1 making it a very easy from all directions.

The LDTG are honoured to have local National tandem driver Colin Allen to design all the obstacles – so a real treat is in store!

A friendly atmosphere is guaranteed, lots of fun, entertainment and may be a little bit of driving competition thrown in!!

Enquiries to Linda Turner on 01623.512729, or genesis10@supanet.com. Or Sue Mart at Bennington Carriages Tel : 01400 281 280 or email carriages@bennington.co.uk

North Eastern Driving Trials Ltd.

The NEDTL Novice qualifier was held at Escrick Park, York, on the Royal Jubilee weekend. There were 56 entries, a club record, and there was definitely a “Right Royal Jubilee” atmosphere.

The seven national standard obstacles, designed by George Prince, were fully operational for the first time, as was the permanent Dressage arena. The obstacles provided a stimulating challenge to competitors at all levels.

The Royal weekend was enhanced by a person letter from HRH The Duke of Edinburgh at Holyrood House, wishing all competitors good luck and commending the support for our wonderful sport.

The celebrations included Jubilee decorated vehicles, drivers, grooms, wagons and even dogs, culminating in a prize for the best decorated obstacle which was won by Julie Lister.

The evening progressed with a reception for our competitors, stewards, Escrick Park hosts and old friends of the North Eastern Driving Trials.

MIDLAND GIVES THUMBS UP FOR CATTON by Mike Fallowell

The Midlands Driving Trials Group were privileged to hold a club event at the new national venue, Catton Park near Burton on Trent, Staffs on 22^nd and 23^rd June. With around 50 entries they were able to give the seven completed obstacles a good preliminary trial, although of course they were flagged differently.

The newly created water obstacle caused considerable interest and excitement with a couple of spills, and it will certainly create great interest after minor modifications at the main event.

The weather, although threatening, was extremely kind, and allowed an entertaining barbeque on the Saturday night with a delicious pig roast provided by Terry and Lynne Day.

There were good entries for all classes. In the horse pairs, Peter Morris won the Dressage (51.6) and Mick Peace came third but declined to do the marathon. He was, however, able to hold court together with Edmund Goodwin at the six o’clock club in the local pub on the Saturday night.

Office and Council News

We are now into the second half of our National programme with sufficient entries at most events although those in Scotland and the West Country need greater numbers for future viability.

It is encouraging to see our healthy recovery, post FMD, but some Organisers are experiencing difficulties in recruiting sufficient Stewards and other helpers. The introduction of CAI-B events seems to have provoked a mixed response and this, among other items, should produce robust debate at our Conference at Cheltenham in October. Please make an effort to attend whether or not you have something to say and enjoy the Dinner Dance on Saturday.

Currently a lot of work is going into preparations for the National Championships at Windsor, not an easy task for those involved, given that it is four years since our last Championship at this venue and the work involved in the construction of eight new obstacles. Lack of sponsorship is a major problem so if you can help, or know anyone who can in anyway possible, please let me know.

Good Luck and good fortune to our teams at Conty and Jerez, and whether you are taking part in National or Club events, enjoy your driving.

TOM PETTIFER

EUROPEAN UNION PASSPORTS

The BEF is continuing its consultation period with all bodies holding an interest in the issuing of passports. The Chairman and Council are continuing to press that only the minimum requirements of legislation are incorporated in these passports in order to keep the costs at the lowest possible levels.

The FEI have finally confirmed that this event will now go ahead. It is to be held at Haras de Jardy, France on 18 - 21^st September 2003.

Due to the change of date and Council having taken into consideration the recommendations made by the Horse Pairs Class, the selection league will be based on FOUR selection events (three to count) be held all in 2003.

Plans are well underway for the annual Conference and Dinner Dance. The venue is the comfortable Cheltenham Gloucester Moat House situated close to Junction 11a on the M5 motorway.

The timetable for the day is:

• 9.00 Club Reps Meeting (by invitation)
• 11.00 Stewards’ meeting (all welcome)
• 2.00 Members’ Conference

That evening the Dinner Dance hosts the presentation of the Fenix, BEIB and Baileys Points Leagues awards. Rachel Stevens has very kindly undertaken to 'liven up' the awards ceremony with interesting video coverage of the recipients taken from various events throughout the year.

Tickets for the Dinner Dance at £28 each will be on sale in the Supporters Tent at Lowther and Alnwick, and of course from the BHDTA Office.

FEI WORLD PONY CHAMPIONSHIPS

This Championships proposed to be held in Austria, August 2003 has now been cancelled. We understand the FEI is still keen to stage Pony Championships in this format, and any further news will be communicated to class representatives as soon as it is to hand.

CHANGES TO CLASS REPRESENTATIVES

Horse Pairs - Jo Attenborough, Tel. 01768 353757

Single Horse - Colin Logsdon, Tel:. 01763 260904

Points Leagues

Details of the Points League standings after Henbury Hall are on the BHDTA website

The FENIX National Points League sponsored by Fenix Carriage Driving Centre In the lead at this point are Sue Mart (Open Single Pony), Di Hayes (Open Single Horse), Jo Rennison (Pony Pairs), Terry Selway (Horse Pairs), Lesley Cox (Pony Tandems), René Schoop (Horse Tandems), Emily Bennett (Pony Teams) and George Bowman (Horse Teams).

The BEIB Novice Points League, sponsored by BEIB (British Equestrian Insurance Brokers)

Catherine Willis and Sue Starnes are fighting it out at the top of the Pony League and Joanna Sugden is just ahead at the top of the Horse League.

The BAILEYS Junior Points League, sponsored by Baileys Horse Feeds. There are two sections in Baileys Junior Points League - National Division, for BHDTA Members from the beginning of the year they attain the age of 14 to 21 competing in National Events, and Club Division, for members of Affiliated Clubs who have not attained their 18^th birthday on 1^st January. No details are to hand as to league table leaders at this stage but reports are coming in of a lively good natured band of Junior Drivers out there contesting points.

HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP

We are pleased to be able to report that Frank and Cynthia Haydon have accepted Honorary Life Membership, bestowed on them by Council in recognition of all they have both done for driving.

All organisations with sections dealing with juniors (anyone under the age of 18 years of age) are now required to have a nominated Child Protection Officer. This person has to be suitably qualified and attend officially recognised training days - these are being organised by the British Horse Society. This is a challenging and very important role and Council is seeking to appoint someone to this post. Anyone that is interested in volunteering is asked to contact the office for further information.

National Championship News

To date, some 120 competitors have qualified for the National Championships which this year have returned to Queen Victoria’s Review Ground after a break of three years. HRH The Duke of Edinburgh has graciously agreed to become the Patron.

The new marathon obstacles are under construction, and all members will be made welcome as spectators - admission is free on production of your membership cards.

If you are planning on bringing a caravan or lorry there is a nominal charge of £10.00 for parking, to be booked in advance.

If you are able to offer your services to help/steward then please notify the office as soon as possible.

Sponsorship is urgently needed particularly for obstacles, and if you can help, please contact the Office.

Voice Products plc are delighted to be sponsoring classes once again on the Sunday of the National Carriage Driving Championships at Windsor. Thimbleby and Shorland are very kindly sponsoring two classes of Open Private Driving with a Championship for the Edgar August Trophy.

Carriage Driving Magazine are generously supporting the Newcomer Whip Championship as editor Richard James is particularly enthusiastic about encouraging Novice drivers.

Qualifying for the above classes will be from affiliated classes affiliated to the BHDTA, BDS and Hackney Horse Society during 2001 and 2002.

The exciting climax of the day will be the Voice Products Supreme National Driving Championship for invited Private Driving turnouts who have won at major shows during the last 18 months, and we look forward to welcoming the “crème de la crème” of the showing world.

All classes have very generous prize money and schedules are obtainable from: Miss Lucy Wain, Voice Products Group plc, Innovation House, Alexander Bell Centre, Hopkinson Way, Andover, Hants. SP10 3UR (s.a.e. please).

2002 IPEC World Carriage Driving Championships

The World Carriage Driving Championships for Disabled Drivers is to take place at Greven-Bockholt, Germany, from 25 -29^th September, alongside the host nations National Pairs Championships.

The U.K. long list squad have been training at the Unicorn Trust with Rachel Stevens, Barry Capstick and Anna Grayston. The team has been named as James Marshall, Carol Porter and Judy Ralls with Heather Clark as Reserve. Margaret Brockie is Chef d’Equipe and Rachel Stevens is the Trainer.

Ten countries will be represented with teams from Europe, Canada and U.S.A. and one individual from Nigeria.

The Team would, of course, welcome any sponsorship for travel, clothing etc. and adverts would be welcome for our Team Brochure, which will be widely distributed, both at home and abroad.

For more information contact Margaret Brockie on 01204 531301 or margaretbrockie@mbrockie.freeserve.co.uk

Global Driving Team

Three top international four-in-hand drivers have joined forces to form the Global Driving Team. Michael Freund from Germany, Chester Weber from the United States and Boyd Exell from Australia will represent the Global Team at international driving events.

Similar to the Showjumping teams like Audi and Ericsson, the Global Driving Team aim to increase the popularity of the combined driving sport through improved marketing, greater publicity and media coverage. They also hope to encourage and support up and coming talents in carriage driving and their initiative may result in other teams being formed.

WORLD SINGLE HORSE CHAMPIONSHIPS

The 2002 World Championships will take place in an exceptional venue at Conty located 120km north of Paris. Les Ateliers de la Selle, a former cheese dairy transformed into an equestrian club, is surrounded by woods and tracks where International Course Designer Christian Iseli has built brand new marathon obstacles especially for the occasion.

Drivers from 23 nations and some 25,000 visitors are expected to join in this, the second World Championships. The first World Singles Driving Championships took place in Ebbs, Austria. The second Championships, which should have been held in Gladstone (USA) in 2000, were cancelled due to an outbreak of West Nile virus.

British Team ‘Recce’ to Conty

In early July René Schoop, Chef d'Equipe to Team GB, led an expedition consisting ofTrevor Harding (Assistant Chef d'Equipe), Colin Logsdon and Phil Nadin to recce the facilities at Conty

The site is very attractive, beside the river Celle, normally occupied by an equitation school. It is in the village of Conty.

Preparations were well in hand, 7 of the 8 obstacles were completed, the dressage arena was covered by some very healthy grass and the course was reported to be very good. The area is heavily wooded, with an attractive lake between the woods and the site.

Electric hook-ups were being installed in the lorry park.

Some building work was still in hand, most notably the grandstand/offices and the competitors restaurant building, which will be used as residential accommodation after the competition – but the staff seem very confident !

The village is quite small with few restaurants, the only accommodation is fully booked. There are numerous B & B and apartments in Amiens as well as a number of hotels. There are eating-out opportunities in the surrounding area, so you will need to explore the very attractive Somme valley. There are no money changing facilities in Conty, but a cash dispensing machine is available.

A16 from Calais to Amiens. After about 1 hour look for Junction 18 as immediately after this you need to leave on the A29 (junction 17, but not numbered) (signed Reims, Lille & Paris ) - Amiens Sud. After leaving the A16 you arrive at the toll (péage). In 800m at Junction 31 take A29 signed Amiens Sud and Dury. At the roundabout follow the signs Salouel, Saleux & Conty (2^nd exit). Conty is 17kms south of here.

Everyone will want to send their best wishes to Mark Broadbent who had a freak accident with his team a few days ago, as a result of which one horse had to be destroyed and another was quite seriously injured. Mark himself was airlifted to hospital, but thankfully his injuries are less serious than initially feared, and he is now home nursing three broken ribs.

Mark has sent the following message to all who sent offers of help:

Thank you all so very much for your expressions of concern and offers of help. I can assure you all they have been most appreciated. To know that so many of you are there offering support when accidents happen is more important than I can possibly say. I am now well on the way to recovery and thank you once again.

Mark Broadbent

Bryan Hough Memorial Trophy

This trophy is awarded to the marathon groom with the horse tandem completing the best round at Hopetoun, Henbury, Lowther and the National Championships. This season’s winners to date are:

Hopetoun – Beryl Pendlebury (with Fred Pendlebury)

Henbury - Andrew Saunders (with Karl Read)

The repercussions from the September 11^th terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre in New York are still being felt through out the insurance market. There have been huge losses in the global market place and consequently insurance rates worldwide have been forced up.

Insurance companies are now viewing liability cover with more care than ever before and only those insureds with a good record will obtain favourable insurance terms.

Measures such as taking Health and Safety matters seriously and ensuring that the correct safety procedures are followed will assist in the prevention of accidents and claims for negligence, thus maintaining a good claims record and avoiding large premium increases

Comment from the BHDTA Chairman:

At a recent insurance meeting with BEIB, it was noted that the BHDTA claims experience has improved over recent years, but it is essential that this continues in order to ensure that we can offer reasonable insurance cover to our members.

Letters

Dear Carriage Horse

Re: Criteria by which the fitness of a groom/navigator is judged

According to the BHDTA’s own words “It is vital that a groom on a marathon carriage should be fit and alert enough to run fast over any terrain to recapture the fleeing turnout when the driver is not immediately available to help”.

I have been competing with my husband for about 14 years and would be extremely surprised if any groom/navigator is fit enough to keep with a runaway turnout. This is totally unrealistic and heroes who try to get in front of a driverless horse and carriage in full flight are likely to get killed in their attempt to do so. If the insurance company employed by the BHDTA believes that every single groom/navigator who compete in Nationals are so fit they can perform this task easily, then they are being misled. Is their plan to line up every groom at one side of a large field and see how fast and how far they are able to run to assess fitness?

Surely it would be far more sensible, with regard to safety, for the groom/navigator to be completely aware of the driver’s every move so that the possibility of them being on the wrong side of the carriage at the wrong time could be greatly reduced. I am aware that some turnovers are not the fault of the navigator but could be caused by driver error or a bump in the ground, but I have witnessed accidents which could have been avoided if the groom had been leaning on the correct side of the vehicle to counterbalance it.

On the ground that prevention is far better than cure the grooms/navigators should be given more support and respect for the work they do in helping their drivers to achieve all the glory.

Quite often all competitors on the carriage are thrown to the ground during turnover, particularly on multiple horse vehicles. I feel that all the drivers should also be fit enough to help as they may sometimes be the first to try and handle the situation. The idea of the driver remaining on the ground waiting for a navigator to recover and recapture his turnout is quite ridiculous. Some horses can become extremely upset of a stranger should appear in front of them when they are upset. In some cases the horses know the driver best, particularly if a groom/navigator has been acquired at the event.

There seems to have been a greater and greater disparity between the importance of drivers and their grooms/navigators. If everything goes right the driver gets the glory; if something goes wrong the navigator gets all the blame. I seem to remember a certain Committee member giving a speech at Thoresby AGM saying that everyone was equally important, and that included grooms as well as stewards, and all those other necessary people who keep the sport going.

There was a question at one time as to how we could encourage outside people, to come and help groom. Well, I think the general atmosphere speaks for itself. No driver can compete without at least one groom/navigator on board and, in order for success and safety, it is vital that the whole team work as one and are not treated any differently. I know I do not speak for myself as I have had quite a number of people who are navigators asking for equal recognition for the hard work they put in. In one example, a driver received a call asking who they would be bringing with them to the Sandringham social event – when they said it would be their groom they were told that grooms were not allowed to go to such events as they were for drivers only. The fact that her groom happened to be her sister was neither here nor there. This sort of thing, is putting drivers on a pedestal and treating them as gods, whilst the grooms/navigators are not fit to be their equals.

When we started in this sport, we were both pleased and amazed at how well everyone got on with each other and how much sportsmanship there was compared to other horse sports. Sadly over the years things have deteriorated and those who are new to this sport must be wondering how it was then compared to how it is now. Everyone is terrified to do anything in case they are not able to get insured anymore or have big claims against them. Well the quick fix after the accident has occurred should not be necessary if more help and encouragement was put into prevention in the first place. Only one or two clubs have tried to keep the old comradeship up whilst the bigger clubs and certainly the BHDTA have lots the plot altogether.

Members should remember that you elected the Committee to serve you, not the other way round. So if you have a grievance then speak up because no-one else will for you, and don’t be afraid to be labelled a ‘trouble-maker’ because you feel that something is unjust or unworkable – this is your sport, if grooms/navigators wish to compete as competitors on the same turnout taking equal responsibility and sharing equal gains, then speak up and say so, do not be afraid of those who feel they are above us – if we all pull together then we can change things.

Anna Fisher

In response to the above letter, I would like to point out that the sentence quoted at the start was taken, out of context, from a letter sent to Anna Fisher in reply to a request from her to explain the reasoning behind not allowing grooms to ride ATV’s inside obstacles. Anneke Wallace

In response to the comments about the social events, the Council has asked organisers where possible to include grooms .

Letter from BHDTA to Anna Fisher, 9th July 2002

Dear Anna,

As you requested, please find below the principles behind some of the rule clarifications that have been issued in the last year or so:-

The FEI Rulebook has always referred to the entry as the 'competitor and the horses'. This combination must not change throughout the event. The groom or persons on the carriage can be different people for the dressage, marathon or cones phases and for dressage and cones can even be shared between competitors. You are therefore definitely classified as a groom and not a competitor under the rules.

Apart from setting out a framework under which competitions can run, the rules also reflect the overriding importance of safety in the competition. The rules have been clarified, but not changed to have regard to safety.

When an accident occurs and a vehicle overturns, it is often the driver sitting on the box who is thrown to the ground as opposed to the standing groom who can often step off the vehicle. It is therefore vital that a groom on a marathon carriage should be fit and alert enough to run fast over any terrain to recapture the fleeing turnout when the driver is not immediately available to help. In addition, as the minimum age for junior grooms and drivers was decreased for affiliated club events, it was also important to make sure that young grooms with necessarily limited knowledge should also be able to provide efficacious assistance. All grooms must therefore be fit and knowledgeable enough to provide that efficacious assistance and it was for this reason that Article 9.10 National 3.1 and 3.2 was included in the rules.

The issue of disabled passes to disabled competitors has been at the discretion of the BHDTA. You will note that Article 950.3.3.2 clearly stated that only the competitor with an authorised pass from the BHDTA is excepted from the rule not allowing motor vehicles and bicycles in the obstacles and as I have explained above, this according to FEI rules always meant the driver and not the groom. As National Rules have been brought into line with FEI rules, Article 950.3.3.2 was changed to 'driver'. The disabled pass has to be applied for and authorised annually.

To be able to comply with Article 9.10 National 3.1 and 3.2 the groom will necessarily have to be fit enough to walk around the obstacles albeit possibly having been allowed to drive to the obstacles. Only disabled drivers will be given disabled passes.

I hope this provides the clarification that you requested and that you will see that the governing body's consideration in making these rule clarifications was driven by safety and safety alone not merely to competitors, but also to the public.

Yours sincerely,

ANNEKE WALLACE
Chairman - BHDTA Rules Committee

Dear Carriage Horse

I would like to thank all those people who helped after we turned over in the pony pairs class at Sandringham. Unfortunately I did not recognise most of the helpers so I am unable to thank them
in person.

For those who were kind enough to enquire after us, especially my fellow competitors in the pony pairs class, this may be of interest to you. The pony, Templedruid Ganges sustained a nasty wound to his fetlock and damaged the tendon sheath, due to the very prompt actions of the three vets at the scene and to the expert help of the vets at the Beaufort Cottage Hospital Newmarket, he is expected to make a full recovery. As I write this he has just been turned out in a small paddock for the first time and is 99% sound........At the moment!
As a matter of interest Ganges was one of nine ponies bred by Roger Barrett of the Templedruid Stud to be competing at Sandringham. The other eight made up two teams from abroad.
We hope to be back before the end of the season and in the meantime take care and good luck.

Yours sincerely,
Julie Hoskyns.

Message from Dr Christopher Wood:

Liza would like to thank everyone who has written, phoned or emailed with their good wishes following the accident at Farleigh House HDT.

The good news is that the two fractures in the shaft of her right femur are remaining stable on their “scaffolding”, the not so good news is that she is now being told that she is likely to be on crutches still at Christmas!

She will do all she can to confound the pundits but she cannot hurry the healing time – very frustrating!

Supporters News

The Supporters Tent was “missing” from Farleigh, which I understand was a most enjoyable event. Unfortunately the date coincided with the North Eastern Driving Trials Group’s Novice Qualifier at Escrick Park near York, so my loyalties stayed in Yorkshire. What a splendid event the club put on, with seven permanent obstacles designed by George Prince. A far cry from the first event that David and I organised some 14 years ago.

Our sympathies must go to the organisers of the event at Hopetoun House who, I hear, despite the appalling weather, never stopped smiling and could not have been more helpful. Once again the dates clashed with another personal commitment, so I was unable to attend to man the Supporters’ Tent.

Sandringham was a memorable weekend for many reason, not least the hosting of the European Pony Teams Championships. We had a very busy four days in the Supporters Tent where we met many old friends and made a number of new ones. Sincere thanks to my small band of helpers who worked extremely hard. The weather was kind – dust was the problem this time, not mud! The crowds turned out and stayed to the end of each day which finished with a splendid display by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery.

Newnham Park followed and my thanks to Pippa Pettifer for running the “Tent”. I was unable to attend as I was supporting my 11 year old grandson at an Area Pony Club Triathlon, where my duties included walking a hunter trial course accompanied by his two small brothers aged 2 and 1. I was really doing my “Grannie” stuff – and would not want anyone to think that I am getting lazy when I miss events!

It was particularly enjoyable to experience a new venue at Catton Hall, and Katie Nielson was incredibly helpful providing everything we wanted for the very smart Tent. We even had the luxury of a water boiler - and electricity, at both Catton and the next event at Henbury Hall. The Tent was busy at both events, and I am very indebted to Betty Roberts at Catton and to Peter and Julie Pethbridge who helped at both these events.

I am pleased to report that Jim Ainsworth is out of hospital after his recent heart related operation and is making good progress.

Sheila Hawking

7.45 start

Westmoreland Hotel, Tebay

Tickets £20. For tickets, please send a cheque/postal order made payable to the NWDC to Libby Parsons, The Lowther Castle, Hackthorpe, Penrith, Cumbria. CA10 2HX

Rooms available at the Westmoreland hotel for £48 for a double or twin room B&B and £34 for a single B&B, please phone the hotel directly to make your reservation (quoting the North West Driving Club) on 015396 24351.

THE NEXT ISSUE OF CARRIAGE HORSE WILL BE PUBLISHED IN early October 2002
Deadline for articles etc - 15th September 2002

All items to be sent to: BHDTA Office or preferably e-mailed to bhdta@horsedrivingtrials.co.uk

This publication has an independent editorial policy and is intended as an open forum for BHDTA members. All letters and reports from members and clubs of the BHDTA are welcomed and will be published where possible, although some editing may be necessary if space is limited. Letters will have the right to reply in the same issue if considered appropriate. Anonymous, defamatory or objectionable letters will not published. Unless the contrary is shown, the views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the BHDTA or its Council.