Mailing

In order to save money for the Association, only one mailing per household will be despatched. But if members wish to receive additional paperwork, particularly the Year Book, the office will be pleased to send it out.

The Carriage Driving Sports Group

It is hoped that the group may be able to put on courses in different parts of the country if any clubs are prepared to offer their facilities and some help.

If anyone is interested in joining the group, attending a course or helping in any way, please contact Margaret Brockie on 01204 531301 or  Email to: margaret@mbrockie.freeserve.co.uk

First Aid Course

The BHS are running a One-Day Refresher Equestrian-Related First Aid Course at The Unicorn Trust on 9^th May 2003. Full details from Sarah Beveridge at 01926 707820 or s.beveridge@bhs.org.uk.

Georgina Frith promoting Pony World Championships

Georgina Frith will have a change of scenery when she competes with a pony coach at some shows this season (see article on page 6 about Junior Clinics for details of New Forest Show). She would also like to use it to raise the profile of ponies and if possible raise some funds for the British team going to the World Championships at Karlstetten.  If anyone has any ideas to help with this promotion, Georgina would be very pleased to hear from them - GeorginaFrith@aol.com.

Georgina tells us that her new Connemara team are destined for America in 2004.  She will be driving them during 2003 and doing her best to get selected for the World Championships. 

Lisa Stroud has other Connemaras in the USA and she is largely responsible for getting Georgina “hooked” on them!  Lisa will be trying to qualify for the US Team at the Worlds with a pair.  To that end she may well be competing at some British events this season.

Georgina also has a team of black hackney cobs waiting in the wings who might make an appearance after the Worlds, but our horse team drivers will be relieved to hear that her focus this year is firmly on ponies!

Scottish Carriage Driving Association

In January two SCDA members, Ian Bertram (a very successful single horse driver) and Catriona Wilson, were married in Glasgow University Chapel on a sunny but very chilly Tuesday afternoon (see photo below). Many friends were invited to join their celebration and dancing took place well into the night.

In February the AGM will be held at Oatridge Agricultural College. In the morning, international judge Diana Brownlie will give members the benefit of her experience when assessing paces of various horses and ponies. Videos will be used to demonstrate a wide variety of turnouts and members will be able to gain a clearer understanding of what the judge is looking for. After lunch and the formal business there will be a panel discussion with a judge, a course builder and a competitor available to answer members' questions.

The Omnibus Schedule of Scottish Points events will be available at the AGM to fully paid up members This gives details of forthcoming clinics as well as dates of events and a wealth of other information. We are exceptionally pleased to be returning to St. Fort this year for a club event which will no doubt prove to be extremely popular.

We are looking forward to welcoming many visitors from south of the border to our two Scottish National events at Hopetoun and Castle Kennedy. Both are in particularly scenic venues and well worth the drive. We are delighted to have secured sponsorship from Bellcrown Carriages for the Scotia Cup to be awarded to the driver with the highest combined placings from the two events. See page 7 (Important Competitor information) for more details. Ian Gilbert, course builder for Hopetoun, has the new dressage arena ready to use and will be building all eight obstacles in the same field, removing the steep climb to Obstacle 3 which has previously daunted a few competitors.

We wish everyone a successful season in 2003.

Chairman’s Notebook

As we move into springtime our programme of Clinics and Conferences is well under way, so by the start of the National Event season all should be well prepared. Club reports indicate full programmes and it is hoped that they will find the Clubs Liaison Committee a useful forum for the exchange of ideas and information.

You will see from the Council news that George Bowman is not seeking re-election for a further term. After 24 years on the HDT Committee/Council, he deserves the rest, and the grateful thanks of members countrywide and Internationally for his work on behalf of our sport. Since I became Chairman in October 2001, George’s support and advice as Vice Chairman has been invaluable.

Breaking news is of course, Craghoppers sponsorship for the National Championships, a most welcome development enabling us to enhance the quality of the event. Special thanks to John Gaynor for identifying and securing the arrangement and we look forward to a successful partnership in the future. However, we must not rest on our laurels; further obstacle and service sponsors are required so if you have any suggestions, please contact John or Nigel Dipple.

A full season lies ahead, particularly for those seeking selection for one of the World Championships. Please take careful note of the qualifying and selection requirements outlined in this Newsletter to avoid difficulties and disappointments later.

Council Election

There are four vacancies in the forthcoming election. Three of the retiring Council members, Ian Douglas, Edmund Goodwin and Sydney Smith have indicated that they are prepared to stand again, but George Bowman has decided to stand down (see Chairman’s Notebook, left).

One additional nomination was received - from Tom Pettifer - who for the last two year’s has been a co-opted member of Council.

Although there are four vacancies, one of these is for a term of one year only. An election would therefore have been necessary to determine which candidate should fill this one-year vacancy. However, Sydney Smith has requested to serve for one year only and has asked to fill this vacancy. On this basis the reappointment of these Council Members will be put to the membership for ratification at the AGM.

BHDTA AGM

The BHDTA AGM will be held at 6.00 pm on Thursday 1^st May 2003 at Brighton. This will be followed by a Members' Open Meeting.

Amendments to Year Book

BHDTA COUNCIL (Page 5)

John Gaynor has changed his email address to: JOHN@windermere.fsnet.co.uk.

CLUB LIAISON COMMITTEE (Page 7)

SANDRINGHAM HDT (Page 42)

Mrs T Jackson (entries) - email changed to: BrandonHouseFarm@aol.com.

AFFILIATED CLUBS (Page 69 - 71)

Bristol Horse Driving Club

Chairman - Mr Michael W Wall, 32 Beechwood Avenue, Hanham, Bristol BS15 3QW. Tel: 0117 961 1009, Fax: 0117 967 2822, Email: michael.wall5@btopenworld.com

Three Counties Harness Club (Hertfordshire) was disbanded in December due to lack of support and the remaining money held by the club was donated to Driving for the Disabled.

Possible Sports Council Funding

We are informed by Sport England that although there is no funding available for the BHDTA as the national governing body, there is a possibility that some clubs may be eligible under their “Awards for All” scheme, which is aimed at small groups with a community focus. For more details, see the website www.awardsforall.org.uk

Child Protection Update

The BHDTA Child Protection Officer (Janis Moore) has already been busy on our behalf. Janis travelled down to the latest Council meeting when the outlines for the policy and procedures were discussed and agreed.

Janis is busy preparing a 'pack' which, when ready, will be circulated to Event Organisers and Clubs. You will find enclosed with this newsletter a 'Self Disclosure Form' together with a letter outlining the reasons for completing it. In the next newsletter there will be a full report from Janis on the way forward, the official requirements and how they affect us all.

We understand that people may be anxious about the introduction of child protection procedures within our sport. Please be reassured that these procedures will be straightforward and common sense applied. Only where it is deemed appropriate will a referral be made. The methods of training children and young people do not need to change in any way whatsoever.

BHDTA clinics

The full list of clinic dates is given on page 67 of the Year Book.

Club Coursebuilders Clinic on 8/9 March includes sessions on Scoring (£15 including lunch) and Club Safety and Child Protection Legislation (£7.50 including lunch).

The cost of the full Club Coursebuilders’ Course is £30 for the two days including lunch. Full details from the BHDA Office.

The Novice Technical Clinic originally scheduled to take place on 25th May has been postponed and details will be published in the next newsletter.

Club Judges Clinic on 16 March is at Wyton, Nr Huntingdon (Midlands) and full details are available from Lynne Day (01480 891499)

Stewards Training Clinics

6 April at the Fenix Carriages Driving Centre, Tiverton, Devon - details from Mrs Penny Bragg (01822 840355)

20 April at Dounhurst Farm, West Sussex -

details from BHDTA Office.

There will be two further Stewards Training Days in the north, to be run by Philip Bateman. Dates and venues not as yet available but it is thought likely that one will be at Lowther.

Two further clinics are being organised in the north and details will be published in the next newsletter.

BHDTA YOUNG DRIVERS CLINICS

Sponsored by The Saddlers Company and Baileys Horse Feeds

The BHDTA Training Committee has arranged three Clinics for Young Drivers in 2003. Thanks to the generous support from the Saddlers’ Company and Baileys Horse Feeds the cost of running these sessions has been largely subsidised, making them affordable to most. There may also be a discretionary grant available to BHDTA members to assist with travel costs for those coming long distances, and anyone who feels they may qualify should apply to the BHDTA Office. Participants do not have to have their own turnout because the 'Buddy' system has proved very successful.

The Instructors are established and successful competitors, who have themselves risen through the ranks from Juniors to International Competitors. The emphasis with all the training is on fun, safety and improvement.

1. Easter Clinic at Unicorn Trust, Stow on the Wold - 16, 17 and 18 April

As usual the emphasis at this pre-season clinic will be on preparation for competitions. Members of the Training Committee will be instructing and it is a good wake-up call for the season and an introduction for newcomers just starting. Includes two-and-a-half days Tuition, two nights Stabling, two Lunches and a Dinner.

Cost: £80 with Turnout £55 without Turnout

Apply direct to 'The Unicorn Trust' Equestrian Centre, Netherswell, Stow-on-the Wold, Glos, GL54 1JZ.

Tel: 01451 832317 or 01451 831052; Fax: 01451 832126, E-Mail: sydney.smith@dialin.net

2. Summer Clinic at Forest Farm Carriage Driving Centre - 30/31 Jul & 1 Aug

Baileys Horse Feeds are very generously sponsoring this three-day camp. Georgina Frith (who needs no introduction!) is one of the Instructors on this Clinic, and on Tuesday 29 July will be competing with her pony team in the Coaching Class at the New Forest Show. Because of this, an optional Coaching element has been introduced into the programme.

• w/e 26/27 July Forest Farm open to early arrivals
• Monday 28 July Prepare coach and ponies for the New Forest Show
• Tuesday 29 July All day at the 'New Forest Show' (three lucky juniors to ride on the coach!)
• Wednesday 30 July 9am Training Clinic officially starts
• Thursday 31 July Training
• Friday 1 August One Day Event – all compete for the Joe Moore Memorial Trophy
• w/e 2/3 August Forest Farm available to those wishing to stay on

Cost: Contribution towards training £30. Camping £10 p/n (£20 p/n including portable stabling). DIY livery (stable and grazing) £15 p/n.

Apply direct to 'Forest Farm', Barnes Lane, Milford-on-Sea, Hants, SO41 ORR Tel/Fax: 01590-644365 E-Mail: driving@ffarm.fsnet.co.uk

3. Winter Training - Venue and dates to be advised

This is a popular two-day “classroom” clinic that concentrates on all the additional training to help the driver and horse/pony be better prepared and equipped for the sport. More details in a future newsletter.

Horse Registration

The cost of horse/pony registration for 2003 remains unchanged at £27 per animal for up to 5, and £20 for each additional animal over that number.

Applications for fully paid up Members with a photocopy of the diagram page of the vaccination document/passport carried to events.

An initial registration form for new animals can be obtained from the BHDTA or can be downloaded from the Web Site - www.horsedrivingtrials.co.uk.

FEI Passports

The cost of an FEI Passport has risen to £121 for horses and £41 for ponies. The cost for a 'transfer of ownership' in one of these passports is £10. Please apply to the office for the relevant form.

Please keep in mind that these passports, especially for ponies, can take 2 - 3 weeks from receipt of initial application form in the office. All ponies have to be officially measured by an FEI approved Vet - there are only EIGHT covering the whole of Scotland/England/Wales.

Event Entries

All competitors are urged to get their event entries in in good time. Those drivers who are wishing to be considered for selection are particularly advised to post their entries for selection events as early as possible to ensure that they are accepted.

Special Concession entry forms

An Associate member who has NEVER competed in a National event may enter ON ONE OCCASION ONLY without upgrading their membership or registering their animal, provided they are qualified to take part in the class for which they are entering. This entry must be made on a special entry form which can be obtained from the BHDTA office.

Note: This concession does not apply to the National Championships.

International Event Invitations

All competitors wishing to compete abroad must inform the office IN WRITING, clearly indicating each individual event for which they wish to receive information.

To date we have received invitations for:

Iberic Cup Events (CAI-A 1, 2, 4)
Lezirias (Portugal) 4 - 6 April
Montenmedio (Spain) 11 - 13 April
The combined scores from these two events count towards the Iberic Cup.

Bydgoszoz (Poland) CAI-A 1, 2, 4 - 22-24 August
Altenfelden (Upper Austria) 11-15 June.
CAI-A including classes for singles, pairs, tandems and teams (both horses and ponies).

For details of other European event dates see page 64 of the Year Book.

ATV/Motorcycle Passes

Competitors wishing to use ATV’s or motorcycles to get around the showground at National Horse Driving Trials must apply to the BHDTA for a pass, submitting a copy of their insurance cover for the vehicle.

Only those with BHDTA passes are allowed to use these vehicles at competitions, although each event organiser has the final say according to the local requirements.

CHILDREN are not allowed to ride ATV’s or motorcycles at events. It is strongly recommended that an appropriate hard hat is worn whilst riding an ATV/motorcycle. All vehicles must only be ridden by the number of people for which they are designed.

Team Fund Raising

Fund raising for teams is always an issue and is obviously going to be particularly important this year with so many drivers involved in the Combined Pony and Horse Pairs World Championships. Every international class has been asked to nominate a fund-raising representative. They are:

If you would like to help or have any ideas for fund-raising projects, please contact the appropriate person.

Bryan Hough Memorial Trophies

The Hough family will again be generously presenting trophies to the marathon groom with the horse tandem driver completing the best marathon at Hopetoun, Henbury, Lowther and the National Championships.

STOP PRESS

The Scottish Carriage Driving Association is delighted to have secured sponsorship from Bellcrown Carriages for the Scotia Cup. This award is presented to the driver with the highest combined placings from the two Scottish events, Hopetoun and Castle Kennedy. 1^st prize is £250, 2^nd prize £150 and 3^rd prize is £100.

Royal Windsor Horse Show Entries

We have received the following invitations from Royal Windsor (14th - 18th May).:

FEI International Driving Grand Prix:

Horse Teams - 8 Pony Teams - 4
Horse Pairs - 4 Pony Pairs - 4
Single Horses - 4 Single Ponies - 4

National Classes:
Horse Tandems - 3 Pony Tandems - 3

All driver’s in the FEI classes require an international licence and horses/ponies must have valid FEI passports (forms from the BHDTA Office).

Selection for Royal Windsor

As in the past, the selection of competitors to fill the allocated places will be based 50:50 on the results of the 2002 National Championships and the pints League and the . In the event of duplication, the remaining places will be allocated from the Points League.

The list of selected competitors has been submitted to the office at Royal Windsor, from where the official schedule will be sent out direct.

World Championship News

World Pony Championships - Karlstetten (Austria) - 14th to 17th August

Official details are still awaited from the FEI but at this stage we understand that we are able to send a team of six (two Single Ponies, two Pony Pairs and two Pony Teams).

A decision regarding the number of individual competitors will be made by the Organisers/FEI at a later date.

No decision has yet been taken about spare ponies.

All competitors will need to hold a current FEI Licence (obtained through the BHDTA office, cost £10) and all ponies need an FEI Passport (see note above).

FEI Championship Eligibility Procedure

(Article 931 in the rule book)

The FEI rules require that all drivers and horses and ponies in all World Championships must have completed at least one international event during the year preceding the Championship and until a date to be set by the FEI in the year of the Championship (in the case of the Pony World Championships this deadline is 20 July 2003; for the Horse Pairs World Championships it is 17 August 2003).

It has now been agreed with the FEI that all those competitors and horses/ponies who completed Royal Windsor, Brighton and Catton 2002 in all classes will have complied with this requirement. Also Sandringham 2002 for Pony Teams.

Royal Windsor 2003 and any overseas FEI events prior to the deadline will also count.

It should be noted that the spare horse/pony must have completed the marathon at one of these qualifying events.

Important Note: In order to compete in a Championship, all horses/ponies must be at least 6 years old in all classes. This is a change of rule effective from January 2003.

Selection Criteria for both Championships

Copies of the selection criteria together with a declaration form, which needs to be completed by all those competitors wishing to be considered for selection, are available from the office. The form must be completed and returned to the office BEFORE competing in any selection events.

Selection Events for 2003

Brighton, Hopetoun, Newnham and Sandringham

The Chef d’Equipe has not yet been appointed, and class members are invited to inform the office of any preferences.

World Horse Pairs Championships, Jardy (France) 18th - 21st Septembe

Brighton, Newnham, Farleigh and Sandringham

The Chef d’Equipe will be Mick Peace, assisted by George Bowman

South Downs Harness Club

S.D.H.C.

The South Downs Harness Club is celebrating its Silver Jubilee in 2003.

Lincolnshire Driving Trials Group

A full list of dates will be on the hdt.diary.org.uk website but the club is also hoping to hold a clinic for budding course builders, stewards and scorers at Beelsby on 29 March, just prior to a training day for drivers on the Sunday.

New venues are being investigated, with Charity rides/drives used to 'test the water'.   LDTG are also pleased to be associated with MDTG and EACDG in three-way inter-club competitions - each club to host an event - but open to other club drivers to also compete.   All LDTG events are open to other club drivers - please come and join us - you'll be surprised just how many hills there are in 'flat' Lincolnshire!!

 Further information is available from Linda Turner LDTG Secretary on 01623 512729 or Email to: genesis10@supanet.com.

Windsor Park Equestrian Club

The fact that five of the seven competitors who attended the World Single and Team Driving Championships in 2002 were members of the club has provided an impetus to upgrade five of our permanent obstacles, hopefully before the season begins properly with the first two-day meet taking place on 5^th and 6^th April.

With the rumoured demise of two local driving clubs, it will be even more important for the club to attract more dressage judges and driving stewards.