The official newsletter of the British Horse Driving Trials Association

2004 Issue 3  (July/August)  on-line edition

No doubt other Horse and Hound readers have also been rivetted by Ian Russell and Andrew Cowdery’s superb first-hand experiences and reports from the National events so far this season. Super photographs accompany equally thrilling and glossy articles. Thanks also to Sally Taylor, top drivers’ quotes are even being included in features, alongside famous dressage and event riders and show jumpers: fame for our sport at last?

A few copies of the last issue of Carriage Horse had the centre pages missing – and some of you noticed… Apologies. If this happens again, please call, fax or email the office for a replacement copy.

Would you like to be better dressed? Then take advantage of Craghoppers’ competition on the opposite page. It won’t take you a moment or overheat your brain unduly: just fill in your name and address and post the form. (Can I hope for a photo of the lucky winner?)

Fiona Powell, Suffolk
01473 735732, editor@horsedrivingtrials.co.uk

Chairman’s Notebook – July 2004

As I write here at the delightful Henbury Hall Event, it seems hard to understand that we have already passed the halfway point of the season –perhaps in my advancing years time really does move faster.

We have enjoyed very successful National events to date and finalised selection of the Horse Singles team for Astorp, Sweden, travelling shortly and the team for the World Horse Four-in-Hand at Kecskemet, Hungary, in August. Our best wishes to them all, may they enjoy the support they deserve and return with positive results for our next issue.

A great deal of interest is apparent, with long lists in all Classes for the Combined Pony World Championships at Catton Park 2005 and the Horse Pairs at Salzburg later the same year.

Matters concerning selection procedures continue to be those most commonly raised with me, there is no perfect solution but the intent must always be to send the best available drivers and horses to contest each Championship. I would suggest once again a meeting at the Conference for International Drivers and those seeking selection in coming years to consider firm proposals, tabled beforehand – not ad hoc comments raised at the meeting – to amend and improve our procedures. Obviously where selection has commenced the existing conditions will remain.

The innovation of BHDTA Junior Championship is most welcome and I am sure will receive the endorsement of the membership.

You will find details of the Conference elsewhere in this issue, please help us to continue the success of recent years at the new, more central, venue in Coventry.

Tom Pettifer, Chairman
Tiverton

Office News

Club Training Grants

Training grants of £200 are available to all Affiliated Clubs aimed to benefit as many members as possible, and not merely for training elite competitors. Applications need to be made in writing by the organising Club. Please supply details of the type of event, date, venue and an outline of what is planned and trainers involved – payment will not be granted retrospectively.

Drug Testing at Events Update

Drug testing was carried out at Hopetoun on the following animals: Hercules owned and driven by Mr Adrian Puddy – no prohibited substances found. Barney owned by Mr & Mrs P Chambers and driven by Mr Wilf Bowman-Ripley – no prohibited substances found.

New Scoring System

Final trials for the new scoring system will be at Alnwick when it will be used for scoring the National Event. Following that we will be in a position to licence the system to clubs and events for their use. During the closed season it is intended to hold clinics for current and potential new scorers. Full details will be circulated to Clubs and will also be given in a later edition of Carriage Horse.

Junior Championships

For the first time BHDTA Affiliated Club ‘Junior Chariots’ is organising a Junior Championships with the full support and backing of the BHDTA. There are five classes: 10-12 yrs, 13-14 yrs, 15-17 yrs, 18-21 yrs plus 14-21 yrs for drivers who have driven at national Level and above. All classes to be driven as singles. Drivers 18 yrs and under must have a groom of 18 yrs who has participated at Club Level as a Driver or Groom. Safety checks will be carried out at the start of the competition. Full details and entry form can be found on the BHDTA web site.

FEI Dressage Test No 8

We will NOT be using FEI No 8 at the National Championships.

ATV Insurance

In response to requests received from several members who had experienced considerable problems in sourcing insurance for their motorcycles/ATVs we are pleased to report that we are able to offer Third Party Legal Liability insurance with effect from January 2005. This will be offered as an ‘add-on’ to your membership subscription at £60.00 for the twelve month period.

Fenix Points Leagues

Council have agreed that those competitors taking part at World Championships as part of the British Team will receive 10 additional points in the points league. This is the maximum number of points that will be allocated irrespective of the number of National Events missed.

Annual Members Conference and Dinner Dance – 13 November 2004

Conference will be held on Saturday 13 November at the Hilton Coventry, Paradise Way, Walsgrave Triangle, Coventry, starting at 2:30 pm.

Dinner Dance - new date/new venue/new organiser – Saturday 13 November at 7:30pm. at the Hilton Coventry. Tickets are available at a cost of £33.50 from the BHDTA office. Accommodation can be booked direct with the hotel on 02476 603000 (please quote BHDTA for discount rates).

Do please support this event. The ‘new’ venue is centrally located (Junction 2 on M6) which is easily accessible to both the North (M1-M69/M6) and South (M5-M6). We look forward to seeing you there.

New Lorry BHDTA Logo Stickers

By popular request… we are delighted to inform you that you can now purchase large lorry stickers (the same as the new car stickers circulated with the previous newsletter) measuring 24” x 18”. They are available from the Supporters Area at most National Events at a cost of £7.50 or from the BHDTA office when they are plus £1.50 postage.

New Award for Grooms

The BEF is launching a new award for British Grooms called the “Kuster BEF Groom Award”. Generously sponsored by Frank Kuster from Grange Hotels it is designed to reward and recognise the work done by grooms. The winning groom and their guest will receive a luxurious holiday in Naples to include business class flights and also two nights at the London Grange City Hotel. The winning groom will also receive a stunning bronze designed by Tim Nathan.

The competition is open to all grooms, whether from a local riding school or top Olympic yard. Entry is easy: send details why you believe the nominee deserves the award and contact details of the nominee to:- Kuster BEF Groom Award, British Equestrian Federation, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2RN (entries close 22 Nov. 04).

Please also send details (and photo?) of your nominee to the Editor, we can then also feature the groom in the next newsletter.

BHDTA Junior Championships

Escrick Park, Yorkshire, 25-26 September 2004

This year, for the first time, the BHDTA and Junior Chariots are organising a two-day carriage driving Championships for young drivers aged 10 to 21. Entry qualifications are that you’ve completed two club events since April 2002 without elimination or you’ve been assessed at the Summer Camp. You must be a member of the BHDTA or of an affiliated club or of the BDS to take part.

There are five classes, all for single turnouts and based on the driver’s age group: Class 1: 10 – 12 years, Class 2: 13 – 14 years, Class 3: 15 – 17 years, Class 4: 18 – 21 years and Class 5: 14 – 21 years for those who have competed at a National event.

Class 1 drives National Novice Test 7; Classes 2 to 4 drive Novice Test 1 (1999) amended 2001; Class 5 drives FEI Test 5. The three-section marathon is about 14 km with six obstacles.

The entry fee is £35 and the closing date for entries is 13 September. Get your entry in now to ensure your place.

You can download the schedule and entry form for the Junior Championships from the BHDTA website and print it or you can send a SAE to the Office with a request for details. (Amendment to the schedule: the rule for grooms should read exactly as set out in the BHDTA rule book.)

The new BHDTA Junior Championships is already receiving financial support from the HDT Special Development Fund. An application from the BHDTA was considered by Trustees Prilly Baron, Jill Holah and Tom Pettifer, and it was agreed that the fund will cover the cost of renting the venue for the event. Jill explained, “The main aim of the fund has always been to promote the development of the sport, and we feel that this new Championship will be invaluable to encourage the next generation of competitors”.

Escrick Park, on the A19 south of York, is a beautiful setting for the event, being surrounded by fairly flat parkland with good tracks and interesting obstacles and is a favoured venue of the friendly North Eastern Driving Trials Group Ltd.

Contact Sydney Smith for more information - 01451 831052, fax: 01451 831052, email: sydneys@netcomuk.co.uk

Don’t miss Brockham’s event at Borde Hill Fair

For carriage driving in a spectacular setting, don’t miss Brockham Harness Club’s Two-Day Trials on 21-22 August 2004, sponsored by Creaseys Chartered Accountants, in conjunction with the Borde Hill Country and Angling Fair in the magical parkland of Borde Hill, near Haywards Heath, West Sussex,

The testing three-phase competition begins on Saturday with dressage and cones, and the exhilarating six obstacle marathon, designed by Andrew Simmons, runs on Sunday around the picturesque Robertsmere Lake, set in its glorious position below the Tudor mansion house at one of the country’s ‘truly great gardens’. Other generous Obstacle sponsors include Bellcrown Carriages, UBM Plant Hire and Claire Worcester BHSAI.

This year the driving is being held in conjunction with Borde Hill Country and Angling Fair, which promises to offer ‘something for everyone’ and more than 5,000 spectators are anticipated. The entertainment ranges from the skill and grace of casting demonstrations to dog training and agility classes, falconry and craft displays, while the family fun includes a Punch and Judy show. Over 200 stands will be exhibiting and selling crafts, food, gardening, clothing, riding, shooting and fishing equipment.

Borde Hill (below) is near Haywards Heath, just a short drive from the M23/A23. The show is open from 10am–5pm each day and admission, which includes the Carriage Driving, Country & Angling Fair, Borde Hill Garden and Adventure Playground, is Adults £6, Concessions £5, Children (3-15 years) £3.50 and Family Ticket (2/2) £15.

See more about the venue at www.bordehill.co.uk and find out about the sponsors: www.creaseys.co.uk.

Get more details and an entry form when you visit www.brockhamharnessclub.co.uk or contact Sara Simmons - 01903 812885.

Single Pony News

Dear All,

“Well done”, to all those who competed at Sandringham.

We had a single pony meeting and discussed the following:

* The points are awarded to the driver and not the combination for selection to Royal Windsor and Championships. So, yes, it is possible for someone to add points from two horses together.

* World Pony Championships and selection. Many people feel that two events in the year prior to the competition and three or more in the year of the competition would be fairer and allow those with novice animals more chance of being selected. It was also felt that a wild card element - someone good at marathon should still have a chance for selection by judges or selection panel as they may help the team. This selection process cannot be changed for 2005 but it is being discussed at conference and therefore, if you have any views, please write to me and I will put them forward at the conference.

* We still do not know how many people are going to Catton from Great Britain but I will let you know as soon as I do.

* As a class we are trying to put together a leaflet to help those moving from club into novice with some tips for competitions. Sue Starnes kindly offered to do this.

* It was also felt that this would be useful for people wishing to compete internationally as many of us do not know about all the paper work.

* Training- all agreed to disagree on the type of training and trainers we wanted. However, Julie’s doing a good job and people are welcome if they wish. Heather also said she had a place on a day course at her place with Boyd - please contact her if you are interested.

* Diana Brownlie has kindly offered to share her views on presentation and dressage tips for internationals at Windsor Championships. She will talk with us one night - probably on Thursday. I will charge a small fee for her advice and shall put this in the kitty towards fundraising. Other judges mentioned were Andrew Counsell, Lisa Woods and Leonie Marshall (Sara's mum).

* I have sent a card to Kate Hughes on pony's behalf to get well soon.

Sara Howe

Single Pony Representatives at Novice Qualifiers and Nationals, 2004

Single Pony drivers have offered to support and encourage and/or to hold a meeting open to all drivers in Open and Novice Pony classes at the following events. The plan is to discuss our issues and have a sociable gathering so we can get to know each other better. Novices are welcome, so don’t be shy. Where there is a question mark, feel free to volunteer yourself – contact Sara Howe.

14/15 Aug, Alnwick - Mary Kusin

21/22 Aug, Brockham - Sara Simmons

21/22 Aug, Necarne - Sara Clinghan

28/29 Aug, Castle Kennedy?

There will typically be an announcement and a notice on the stable manager’s board to let you know the time and place of the Single Pony group meeting. Do take the time to go along and meet some of your fellow competitors. Sara Howe

01732 459518/07961 314941, SHowe45951@aol.com

Single Pony Training – Catton Park

A few places are still available for training with Boyd Exell and Robert Buck: Thursday-Friday, 19 – 20 August. £150 per turnout. Don’t miss it!

It’s called Single Pony Training, but there are sometimes spare places and these are open to anyone with any turnout.

Call Julie Camm now to find out: 01454 415050 07778 931950, julie@alvestonhousehotel.co.uk, Alveston House Hotel, Alveston, Bristol, BS35 2LA

STOP PRESS – CHANGES to events & dates

The Necarne Novice Qualifier Event, County Fermanaugh, Northern Ireland, originally planned for 21 and 22 August has been moved to 3, 4 and 5 September.

Lincolnshire Driving Trials Group cancelled its Novice Qualifier at Hackthorne, 10-11 July.

EACDG has cancelled its Novice Qualifier and two-day event at Doggetts, near Southend-on-Sea, 7-8 August, owing to lack of entries.

MDTG is running Novice Qualifier classes at its Club Championships at Catton, 28-29 August, to meet the shortfall in NQ events.

Åstorp Update

Following the final of four selection events, which took place at Farleigh House, the team of three drivers to represent Great Britain at the World Single Horse Championships at Åstorp, Sweden (22 - 25 July) has been named.

They will be led by David Matthews, the highest placed British driver at the last World Championships in 2002. David, a farrier from Stokenchurch, will be driving his Welsh Cob Carnwallon Boneddur.

He’s joined by Di Hayes from near Salisbury with her hackney mare, Hamewith Culmellie. Di was also in the team in Conty, where, after an excellent Dressage, she had a freak turnover on the marathon and was forced to retire when it proved impossible to repair her harness. She will be hoping for better luck this year.

The third member is the experienced and flamboyant County Durham driver Jimmy Robson with his black cob Duke. Jimmy, was reserve for the team in 2000, and has represented Great Britain with a Horse Pair; he is also a former Horse Tandem national champion.

The selection was decided by a points system based on the best three results from four nominated events. The three named team members were consistently at the head of things throughout the selection procedure, but the battle for the reserve slots was much closer. Eventually it was another farrier, Paul Sidwell from Maidenhead, who clinched the position of non-travelling reserve after an impressive performance at Farleigh with his hackney gelding Weirbank John, just ahead of Cherry Gaynor and Carol Johnson.

Chef d’Equipe for the team is Jill Holah, assisted by former team member Jeff Bannister. Stuart Easby has very kindly agreed to act as team vet. The team will leave for the Championships on 14 July with two stopovers on the way to Astorp. JH

New One-Day Event – 19 September 2004

at Dounhurst Farm Carriage Driving Centre, Wisborough Green, near Billingshurst, Sussex.

Contact Jane Stuart for more information – 01730 825817

South Downs Harness Club - www.sdhc.co.uk

Members’ Letters

Please send your letters by email to editor@horsedrivingtrials.co.uk or by fax or post to the BHDTA Office. I look forward to publishing them.

From Colin Logsdon, Single Horse Class Representative

May I, on behalf of the Single Horse class, thank everyone who has contributed to our Travel Fund throughout the year. We are also very appreciative of the help we have received from so many people along the way, particularly Carriage Sales, retailers of a variety of horse drawn vehicles, (www. carriagesales.com) and Enesco Ltd of Carlisle, makers of the beautiful Border Fine Arts porcelain models (www.borderfinearts.com).

It costs an awful lot to take our team to the World Championships in Sweden, the fund raising is daunting, but time and again we ask of your time and money and once again we are delighted with the result, thank you.

Colin Logsdon, Bury St Edmunds

From Leonie Marshall

At the end of your article on the Deloitte Report in the last issue of Carriage Horse you ask competitors to let you know their views on how to sustain our sport in the future. I am now writing with my thoughts on the subject.

I am certain that participation is the best way to keep up interest but this only works if aims are achievable. Of course all of us who compete ultimately want to win and I believe that the best way to provide this opportunity is to organise attainable goals. In the ridden sphere, whether aiming at moderate success or setting sights on the Olympic Games, there are stepping stones all the way, beginning with Pony Club, progressing to Riding Club events, and then on to specialised affiliated competitions. These events all have one thing in common, a National Championships at whatever level a person is at the time. This gives competitors goals at the various stages of expertise and an incentive to train on towards the next level.

I am aware of course that driving also has its National Championships but I also know that many people find the National Outdoor Trials rather daunting in respect of the fitness required for the marathon especially those with smaller animals. I believe that there are would-be competitors who would welcome something rather less demanding, i.e. Section E only with a maximum distance of about seven kilometres. This could be split into three-phase, if desired.

Although many clubs run their trials on this format I know that most of us love the lure of a National Final. With some co-ordination perhaps Clubs could run qualifiers with a final at the existing Championships?

One alternative to this idea (or addition!) could be a "Derby" style event with dressage followed by a combined cones/obstacle course.

The "Indoor Team" are doing a brilliant job for us in the winter but I feel that the summer should offer the more lowly competitor greater incentive with an exciting final at the end of it.

Revenue is of course a vital factor. Perhaps all who "qualify" for any final should then have to become members of the BHDTA (if not already) and have to register their horse/pony. I am sure that there would be willingness to do this in order to pay all that putting on a championship entails.

Leonie Marshall, Sevenoaks

UKIP / EU /Horse Passports?

From John Gaynor

Is it any wonder that fringe political groups are flourishing. For most of the time the inadequacies of politicians go unnoticed by the general public as they assume sensible decisions are being made on their behalf.

There are certain circumstances when the general public do come into direct contact with the EU legislation (such as horse passports). I doubt if there is a better example of stupid and expensive bureaucracy. People are not obliged to have passports (unless they wish to travel abroad) so why should every horse? This unworkable legislation will be meaningless and expensive even if we had faith in DEFRA to administer the system. The chaos during the introduction (with dates for registration forever changing and the introduction of the scheme before it was even the law) illustrates the management skills within DEFRA.

The equestrian organizations did a great disservice to their members by not doing everything in their power to oppose horse passports. No doubt some of these organizations were seduced by the prospect of income from the issue of the passports.

Had the BEF truly reflected the views of its member bodies it would have seriously opposed this legislation rather than seeing it as a way of increasing its bureaucratic base.

There is no doubt in my mind that horse passports will become a platform for further regulations and an excuse to employ more people to push bits of paper about.

How many times are we going to hear "Its something we have to do. It’s EU law"?

John Gaynor, Windermere, Cumbria

(“Computing” magazine kindly published a letter of mine regarding the horse passports issuing fiasco: how would the government and its IT systems cope with 60 million human id cards if they can’t manage a few thousand horse passports…Dare we ask? FP)

If you have any queries about horse passports, call the DEFRA helpline on 08459 335577. Take a pillow.

Update:

* The BHS announces that it’s taking 17-18 weeks to process passports. It’s issued 11,000 so far and is now (end July) dealing with January’s applications.

* In England, your local authority’s Trading Standards Department is the policing agency for equine passports. Penalties of up to £5000 can be issued by the courts.

* According to DEFRA, a horse “should be accompanied by its passport when it is moved to other premises for competition purposes”.

Carriage Horse Editorial Policy

This publication has an independent editorial policy and provides an open forum for all 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.

Letters have the right to reply in the same issue if it’s considered appropriate. Please give your name and contact details, including nearest town, when you submit a letter or article by mail, fax or email. Provide a credit for the photographer with photos, if you wish.

Unless the contrary is stated, the views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the BHDTA or its Council.

200 Club Winners

January: Lady Romsey, Angela Flanagan, Don Wood February: Dickie Black, Ian and Anne Gilbert, Karen Everett March: Gary Power, M Maclay, Derrick Mayes, Jo Attenborough April: Mrs R C Egerton, Brockham Harness Club, Janet Whittaker, Pat Hall May 1: Tony Booth, Beverley Melstrom, Cheryl Buckley, Prilly Baron May 2: Cherry Gaynor, Chrissy Nash, Nigel Collins, Gillian Anslow June: Mary Longbottom, Jill Holah, Raymond Lyon July: Michal Mart, Di Lucas, Sue Denny, Prilly Baron

Thanks to Sheila Hawking of the BHDTA Supporters Club.

Members’ News

“Congratulations” to the well known Carriage Driving Pair/Team of Fred and Beryl Pendlebury who recently celebrated their Ruby Wedding Anniversary.

Pony Party at Catton

Edmund and Joan wish to thank all who supported the pony party at Catton to raise funds for the international pony fund. We would like to thank Ewen and Angela Corkish for sponsoring the wine also Ray and Penny Bragg for sponsoring the cheese and biscuits. Thank you to Jo Rennison and Richard for the case of Cava they gave to be used for the raffle at this event and elsewhere to raise money and to Mary and Les Robbins for the £100 's worth of meat and to all who gave raffle prizes.

Thanks must go to the people who helped us on the night making it a very successful and enjoyable evening. We are pleased to say that along with the raffle we raised £714.00 for the fund.

Edmund and Joan Goodwin

Membership Office move

Please note that the Membership Office is now at our Head Office in Stoneleigh.

National Event Reports

Sandringham - My First National

by Andrew Corbett

I was encouraged by Sydney Smith, who has done so much for young drivers, to take advantage of clause 3 under General Regulations for all BHDTA trials whereby newcomers may compete on one occasion only in a national event without registering their pony or being a Full Member. Members of my local club (Chester HDTG) who had competed in Nationals were full of useful advice on which venue to choose, and eventually I decided to go for Sandringham which offered a Novice Driver (Pony) class. The accompanying Country Show would ensure a 'holiday' atmosphere once I had negotiated the difficult task of getting time off work to compete! Club members also helped with suggestions on getting my pony fit and recommended me to contact Baileys for feeding advice.

Wednesday: we start our 200 mile journey to the site. Donning the 'L' plates, I am able to drive the Iveco lorry I have converted to a horsebox 'with living'. Just as we load the pony the heavens open and we get soaked! There is more heavy rain on the motorway and it is still coming down in stair-rods to drench us again when we re-fill the diesel tank. On arrival at the site in late afternoon I am surprised at how many lorries are already parked up. We take my pony to a local stable, as we have no suitable portable stabling as yet, and get a final soaking as another torrential thunderstorm erupts just as we are preparing her feed.

My brother, Rupert, who has volunteered to groom for me, arrives in his car during the evening. Because of the damp conditions we phone a friend of my mother's in King's Lynn and meet for a super pub supper. Mother is invited to bed at her BandB enabling Rupert and I to sleep in the lorry and set up the tent the following morning in drier conditions. Thursday: the weather improves and the sun appears. Loads more lorries arrive and the horsebox field really fills up: I love looking at the variety of transport and stabling arrangements, and I am impressed with the plentiful supply of taps for water in the parking area. Rupert is going to have a shower! We had our first inspection of the eight hazards: two more than I do in our club events. Each one looks different, they all have six gates, electronic timing and they are very solidly built - more likely to damage the carriage than me knock them down!

Friday: early start to fetch pony from stable and ride her back to lorry field, feed her, and then walk dressage test in arena. Final polish of my marathon vehicle (I use the same for all three phases, so it needs a toothbrush to get the mud out of the disc brake area and the gridwork footplates!) then buff up the chrome buckles on my nylon exercise harness (haven't got any 'posh' stuff). Then it's off with the jeans,T-shirt and trainers and into the Tesco white shirt with collar and tie and the polished Oxfam shop black shoes. The Novice class is required to do Standing Presentation. I know I will never achieve full marks on my Presentation with my current equipment, but I figure I just have to do better in the other sections to make up the couple of points I lose here.

Dressage over and I know I have done better dressage tests, but comments from the three judges are all pretty consistent and pick up on the same deficiencies, so I have something constructive to work on to correct the way of going. What a relief when it is over and I can relax in comfortable clothes. We go off to watch the pairs and several teams doing dressage in the big arenas. We study the hazards again.

Saturday: we discover that the Novice Pony class is a Qualifier and that we will be doing only a three section marathon - our cones today and marathon on Sunday. A tad disappointing as I had been looking forward to a five section marathon and doing the cones the day AFTER the marathon! Fetch pony, feed her and set off to walk cones course. Whoops - have to change into Smartwear for walking cones (quite right really, as public arriving for Country Show). The bands are playing and there is a commentary. Eventually our turn comes, after Heather Clark who drives a beautiful clear to show us how it can and should be done. Like a boy racer, I drive too fast and knock several flying (or is my brother behind me sticking out his hand and flicking the balls off?) So it's back to the drawing board when I get home and convincing myself that accuracy is possible if I work at it. Scoreboard reveals I am in fourth position, so I've a lot to do. I've got to gain at least 15 seconds to overtake my club-mate and rival (Amy Broom, - ironically her mother was good enough to help me last week after I demolished the club cones course - such is healthy club spirit!) We walk hazards again and watch open classes and teams go through them. Boyd Exell is ace! Walk hazards yet again as it gets dark, then off to beer tent and entertainment.

Sunday: up at 5.30 to fetch pony and give her small feed. Walk hazards again. 8.00 harness up and off to start of Section A. Sadly we don't get to go through the magnificent Norwich Gates (part of the five- section marathon only) but there is a loo at the 10-minute halt. Pony's heart rate recovery is OK, but she is quite tired on arrival at first hazard which I do not do as fast as I want. We tackle No 2 (water) with the necessary determination and (wow!) I actually manage to do it faster than The Whizz Kid (hat-trick champion Philippa Howe) who is leading this class and flying round the hazards. Rupert is beginning to get the knack of jumping the back of the vehicle round and we are pleased with our performance in the maze of No 6 though I momentarily forget my exit route losing us valuable seconds: the distance between the start and finish flag and the gates can be crucial. 7 and 8 go well. Overall we are satisfied and I am well pleased with my give-her-all pony.

We return to wash pony, graze her, tidy lorry and have some lunch. Then it's into the posh clothes again and up to the arena for dismounted presentation at 1.20pm. The scores aren't posted yet, so we wait on tenterhooks. Eventually we discover that I have pulled ahead of my rival by just 0.3 points and snatched 2nd place overall (sorry Amy!) I get a beautiful blue rosette with gold trim from John Parker and I think I gain a place to go to Windsor for the Craghoppers National Championships. The good news is that Amy has already qualified, so it looks as though there may be a party from CHDTG making the long journey. I love the friendliness and spirit of my local club, who are always very supportive, so I will not be deserting them! It was great fun to take part in a National, but I will have to find a boss more generous with pay and time off to participate more than once!

Andrew Corbett, Whitchurch, Shropshire

Farleigh House

“The Lipizzaners pricked their long ears and flexed gently within their bodice of harness. Like spiders in a bath, my hands scuttled in vain around the carriage interior. I needed a safety belt or a handle, but would have settled for a crucifix, having discovered a sudden and powerful desire to hold something - anything - very tightly indeed.

“Alright?” inquired Pippa.

“I’m fine,” I tried to reply, but it came out as “mangs-fangs” because my teeth were holding each other so tightly.”

So Ian Russell, the Driving Trials correspondent for Horse and Hound, related part of his experience of going round the marathon at Farleigh with Pippa Bassett. Scary, adrenalin-filled, brain-scumbling and more scary, seems to be his verdict. Yet he’s strangely keen to do it again. His article’s on our website, so you can read it in full – and laugh out loud – it sounds like he’s hooked! It will be great for publicising our sport if H&H publish his work on a regular basis.

It was my first time at Farleigh and it’s now one of my favourite venues. If you’ve not been before, the stable field was hilly but it was appointed with all the necessary facilities, lots of Portaloos, high-pressure water, and even a well marked, if flinty, exercise drive. The dressage arenas were pleasingly level and we were well catered for food and drink, with friendly, helpful, approachable officials.

The seven obstacles were within walking distance of the stable field if you were a keen walker, but best reached by bike or moped. They were imaginatively designed and creatively decorated, not only with original works of art but also with well-dressed, life-size scarecrows, stuffed toys in abundance and a magnificent, sun-shaded pergola. Obstacle 1 started surreally with an almost too-realistic, life-size crocodile, a large and violently orange furry crustacean of genetically dubious origins and a variety of other marine-themed ornaments around a fast-action pit of posts and rails.

Phil Nadin kept up a distinctively well-informed and amusing commentary all Saturday from his vantage point between the sunscreened pergola, the art gallery and the scarecrows, surrounded by lots of spectators and a much appreciated catering stand. Obstacle 6 was literally stuffed with soft toys of every size, colour and shape, donated by employees of EDS, one of the sponsors. The toys and artworks decorating the obstacle were auctioned for charity afterwards.

Sunday’s cones course made use of the Indoor Horse Driving Trials Club’s bridge, which added to the elegance of the flower-bedecked arena but caught out a few people in a tricky, unforgiving route which dramatically changed the placings in Open Pony class up to the last minute, sadly for Sue Denney but happily for Sue Corlett. Pony Tandems had the highest number of double-clear rounds.

A very elegant champagne and nibbles “do” drew most of us together in the restored barn on Saturday night, where the Duke of Portsmouth said a few well-chosen words of encouragement, and our esteemed and good-humoured organisers and sponsors, including Angie Pickford and John Keeler handed round dainty amuse-bouches and fizz. The hog-roast – with free tickets for competitors – was also well attended and was the best I’ve enjoyed for a long time. (Great crackling, lots to eat and friendly, helpful service.) I look forward to next year’s event. FP

Hopetoun IPC World Championships

The International Paralympic Committee World Championships for Drivers with Disabilities took place at Hopetoun, near Edinburgh on 27-30 May 2004.

Teams of drivers from Britain, USA, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands took part, with Steven Manyweathers, Judi Ralls and James Marshall making up the combined Great Britain/Northern Ireland team.

The German team took an early lead after the dressage with a team score of 91.0 but Britain were close behind with 107.2 and USA in third place with 112.2. In the marathon phase, Germany were again ahead, with Sweden second and the Brits in third place. Superb cones performances by Judi Ralls and James Marshall gave Britain a much needed boost and placed them in the Silver Medal position at the end of the competition.

The final standings were: Germany - Gold, Britain - Silver, Sweden - Bronze.

In the individual competition, Brenda Hodgson was the winner of the Pairs Class, held for the first time at the Paralympic Championships. James Marshall was sixth in the IPEC Grade 1 Single Horse/Pony class and Judi Ralls was third in the Grade 2 class.

Nine drivers represented Britain - Judi Ralls, James McCrae, James Marshall, Steven Manyweathers, Aileen Neilson, Heather Clark, Lindsey Tyas, Brenda Hodgson and Carol Porter. We would like to congratulate them all on their performances.

Dot N’Carri

Club Event Reports

Send reports of your club’s activities, preferably with a photograph or two, for publication here.

EACDG Ashfields Spectacular!

Sip your Pimms No 1 cup outside the clubhouse on Saturday night at Ashfields and watch a superb display of stunt riding by Daniel Naprous and his co-rider with their Lusitanos. It was just part of a day’s work for the Devil’s Horsemen.

But the non-stop hard work of hosts Terry Chambers, Wilf Bowman-Ripley, Zoe Morgan and their team gave the twenty or so eager competitors an excellent weekend, with the hot weather of Saturday kindly clouding over for a cooler marathon on Sunday.

This was the EACDG’s “inter-club challenge” event and the Isle of Man team, comprising Libby Priest, Sue Corlett and Lynda Christian, easily ran away with the new Motaquip Team Challenge Trophy, presented by Jean Lane and Nigel Collins, as well as three of the six £50 (yes, £50!) cash prizes for the fastest single and fastest multiple through three of the six obstacles. Dawn Emmerson, Fiona Powell and Chairman David Taylor, the last with his new horse tandem, were the other lucky winners. The last-minute sponsors were Terry Chambers, Harry Jopson and Lenny Butcher. “Thank you!” But Lisa Jopson might be satisfied with winning the Novice Pony class, beating Alma “I’m always second!” Webb by a meagre 0.38 penalties. Lisa was also one of the Windsor Park team alongside Denis Williams’ persuadable Welsh cob tandem and Carol Porter’s determined coloured pony pair, coming fourth in the team challenge. Alma’s stonking marathon time was beaten only by Open Pony driver Sue Corlett.

As usual, Novice Pony drivers had a tough competition. Sue Fincham’s dressage performance charmed the three (highly perceptive) judges, but her early lead fell foul of David Taylor’s tight and unforgiving Cones course. Stephanie Richards came third, unusually, she admits, and puts her new-found success down to having three driving lessons with Kandice Trusler: what will she achieve after four? Newcomer from Kent Gary Turnwell’s less than promising start didn’t put him off and his clever Cones’ double-clear and a good marathon raised him from ninth to finish fourth.

Chris Smith and Yvonne Farmer continued their battle in Novice Horse Class, Chris finally taking the upper hand with dapple grey Megan. He’s been having lessons, too, with Mike Daniell…

David Taylor tripped up in his own Cones course and he succeeded in (ruefully) eliminating himself by going the wrong way through one of the trickier parts! Naturally, some other competitors expressed their sympathy by falling about laughing. A great weekend: thanks to all the organisers, judges, stewards, scorers and helpers.

Results: www.eacdg.org.uk

Damp weather with bright prospects - NEDTG

With novice and pre-novice entries increasing at each event, the North East Driving Trials Group is proving a real nursery for new talent, no doubt attracted by the quality of the venues and the efficient running of the events. So, it was “goodbye sunshine, hello Northumberland” at the competition for the region’s top FEI carriage drivers hosted by John and Ali Wrangham at Harehope Hall, near Alnwick on 10 – 11 July. In spite of grey skies and intermittent rain the Cheviot hills and valleys provided a stimulating and scenic marathon course, with flowing obstacles designed and built by local boy Jeff Walton.

Rosie Mould of Morpeth won Pre-Novice, with Emma Luscombe at her first event in second place driving Sandra Johnson’s pony Freddie. Vicky Dawson of Alnwick had a superb dressage test and a courageous marathon to take the Novice Horse with a young skewbald mare belonging to event host Ali Wrangham. Veteran Yorkshire drivers Alec Jeffrey and James Marshall avoided senior moments and elimination in this class, but Marshall was denied a rosette when a shaft bolt sheared on the marathon, forcing him to withdraw. Donna Ryder won Novice Pony, and Alan Todd of Penrith had a resounding Tandem Class win. With the Open Classes having fewer entries as a result of pressure from the National programme there were nonetheless impressive scores in the Open Pony with Alan Wilkinson of Skirlaugh just beating Mary Longbottom of Dewsbury by four points. In the Open Horse only 15 points separated the first four, with Paul Stringer of Halifax winning, just ahead of Jane Wood of Murton. John Stafford of Dinnington took the pairs, but Ken Walmsley of Risplith was close behind having driven a superb marathon with his new ponies.

The club always welcomes new members, and further details can be found on its website at www.nedtl.co.uk

The next event will be held at Wykeham, near Scarborough on 24-25 July, for further details contact Ken Walmsley on 01756 620378. KW

MDTG – Knowle Hill 10-11 July

Our second visit to this venue repaid the efforts of organiser Mike Fallowell although more entries could have been accommodated.

The newly introduced pre-novice class is bringing fresh competitors to the sport. Alex Hunter picked up the first prize both for the marathon and for the overall competition. She also won a rosette for the best junior whip. Unsurprisingly she expects to be at the next event.

In the novice class Wan Ming, driving her first competition, had the best dressage. Her first place in the marathon enabled her to overcome a challenging cones score. She became a well-deserved overall winner.

Julie Tomasik, driving a single on this occasion, won the dressage by a whisker. The scores in this open pony class were very tightly grouped. However Sue Corlett’s very fast marathon brought her out as the top driver over the weekend.

In the multiples, Wendy Wadsworth and her pony pair came first in dressage. Although Elspeth Morgan (also a pony pair) had a good score in the cones and a crisp fast marathon these failed to lift her above Wendy on the overall score.

Keith Harding

Bennington Invitational – 19-20 June

Oasby, near Grantham, Lincolnshire

Over 30 competitors from as far afield as Kent, Isle of Man and Bristol took part in the first Bennington Event at Oasby, near Grantham, Lincs. First time Horse Driving Trials organiser Stuart Buntine designed and built five superb National standard obstacles, one being in a quarry - a thrill to drive. Saturday saw the dressage and cones driving phases, with the Indoor Carriage Driving Company very kindly lending a wooden bridge which made for some excitement.

On Sunday the short format section E marathon took place, which drove exceptionally well and was very well received. The sun came out for the prize giving, with Mr Michael Mart, Managing Director of Bennington Carriages, presenting the prizes.

Everyone involved had a super weekend and here's to Oasby 2005!

A big “Thank you” from the Bennington Team to all involved. SM

Results: Single Horse: 1 A Flanagan 99.15, 2 M Harding 111.63, 3 G Newby 113.98 Single Pony: 1 J Camm 88.01, 2 S Corlett 92.1, 3 A Flanagan 116.12 Junior: 1 R Fletcher 119.8 Multiples: 1 A Chambers 131.45, 2 E Greensmith 153.58, 3 C Pay 159.51

More pictures from the event are on their web site, www.bennington.co.uk

Sue Mart says, “Yes, Oasby will be running next year, bigger and even better. An event in the driving calendar not to be missed!” Date to be confirmed.

Forthcoming Club Events

Midlands Catton – 28-29 August – New Novice Qualifier

The Midlands Driving Trials Group have announced that their event at Catton Park, near Burton on Trent, Staffordshire will now feature National Novice Qualifier classes. Chris Doughty, Chairman of the MDTG, said, “As soon we heard that Hackthorne had been cancelled we offered to include additional classes at Catton so that a qualifying event would not be lost.”

The event, also featuring the Club Championship, is on a beautiful estate that is the location of the annual national competition and also the World Pony Championships in 2005.

Organiser David West intends to use a three-section, 22 km marathon featuring eight obstacles - mainly those intended for use in 2005 - and will include water. As this takes place just two weeks before the National Championships it can serve as an ideal place to warm up using an international course and obstacles

The dressage tests for open competitors will not be the Test 8 as previously advertised. David says that open singles will revert to Test 7 whilst multiples will do Test 6.

The club welcomes entries from non-members and has this year introduced a successful pre-novice class for those new to the sport. Please remember that competitors need not enter all parts of the competition but can select those sections within the capability of horse and driver.

If you are interested, please contact Lesley West on 01630 661314 or email jodders@lineone.net

Equine Specific First Aid Course

The British Horse Society has opened its Equine Specific First Aid Courses (ESFAC) to BHDTA members. If, like me, you weren’t sure what the course is about, it provides training in giving first aid to people, not horses. It roughly equates to the Health and Safety Executive’s First Aid at Work course, but “with a focus on the injuries that are most likely to be sustained whilst handling and riding horses.”

The two-day Initial First Aid Course is for those who have never received any first aid training, or whose qualification has lapsed. Numbers attending each course are limited to allow ample time and opportunity to learn and practice the skills required. On completing the two-day course, successful delegates receive an ID card and/or certificate of achievement, valid for one year. This must be updated annually by attending a one-day refresher course.

  The One-day Refresher Course is for those who already hold a First Aid qualification which they wish to update. Annual attendance on a refresher course is a requirement for instructors wishing to remain on the register, unless they hold an up-to-date HSE First Aid at Work certificate. Anyone applying for a place on a one-day refresher course will be required to provide evidence of previous attendance at a First Aid at Work or ESFAC course. If this qualification has lapsed, they will need to attend a two-day course.

The cost for the two day initial course is £87 for 2004 and the qualification is valid for two years.

Courses are held all round the country. Details, venues and dates of courses in July, August and September can be found on their website, www.bhs.org.uk

Demand for the courses is high so if you want to attend a course, plan well in advance to avoid disappointment and to allow the BHS time to organise additional courses if demand is high.

If you’d like to attend a course, it’s best to confirm there are places remaining on your preferred course beforehand. See www.bhs.org.uk for more details, dates and venues. If you wish to write for more information, send a SAE to the address below, or phone 01926 707820 or 707799.

Send your application together with a copy of your BHDTA membership card to: Ellie Layton, BHS Training Department, British Horse Society, Stoneleigh Deer Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CB8 2XZ.

Make your cheque payable to: The British Horse Society.

BHDTA Young Drivers’ Summer Camp

17 - 19 August 2004

This year's Summer Camp will again be held at 'Forest Farm CDC' in the New Forest. It is open to all Young Drivers (Junior Whips) aged 8 - 18 years, whether or not they are members of the BHDTA, BDS or affiliated clubs. Although most students bring a horse, it is not essential because sharing can be arranged for those without.

Thanks to the BHDTA, and the generosity of Baileys Horse Feeds and the Worshipful Company of Saddlers, this training is hugely subsidised and therefore affordable to most. Discretionary Travel Grants may be available to assist with travel costs for those with excessive distances to travel, etc.

The instructors again include the 'Best of British', all established and successful competitors and trainers who started their own driving careers when they were young.

These camps are obviously extremely valuable in terms of improving driving and learning new skills, but, equally important, friendships are forged at them, which make future training and competing more enjoyable. (They are also great fun...)

For further details and for application forms, please contact Pippa Jarman or Debbie Butler on 01590 644365 (tel/fax) or email driving@ffarm.fsnet.co.uk. For information, photos, etc., of the facilities at the venue, see the Forest Farm website, www.forestfarmdriving.com DB

British Four-in-Hand Horse Team Confirmed

Following the final of the four selection events, Catton Hall in 2003 and Brighton, Hopetoun and Sandringham in 2004, the team of three drivers to represent Great Britain at the forthcoming World Four-in-Hand Horse Driving Championships at Kecskemet in Hungary (4-8 August) has been named.

Heading the team will be Karen Bassett, the world’s most successful International Lady FEI Four- in-Hand Horse Team driver. Karen, now based in Derbyshire, will be driving her famous team of Trakeners.

She will be joined by Dick Lane from Cranleigh with his team of Lipizzaners. Dick was a member of the British team in Jerez in 2002 at the World Equestrian Games, and also the National Fenix Points League winner in 2003 .

The third member of the team is Adrian Puddy from Cheltenham driving his team of bay horses known as the “Cotswold Allsorts”. Adrian won the Fenix National Points League as a Horse Pairs driver a few years back before stepping up into teams.

Taking the individual entry will be Wilf Bowman- Ripley from Essex, who will be driving Mr & Mrs Chambers’ team of Dutch horses. Wilf was a gold medallist in 1997 at the World Pairs and has twice been National Horse Pairs Champion.

Chef d’equipe is Bob Johnston, supported by his wife Yvonne. Bob was Chef d’equipe at the World Equestrian Games in 2002 at Jerez and in 2003 looked after the British Challenge in the first World Pony Championships in Austria.

The team are due to leave for Hungary on 27 July.

For more information about the championships visit www.kecskemet2004.hu ND

Carriage Link Dating Agency?

Clare Wigmore's business, Carriage Link.com, "the introductory marketing service for carriage drivers", was established in 1994 because she saw that people needed expert help to choose the right animal for driving.

I must declare an interest because Clare's service helped me to find my pony and she saved me a lot of time, stress and effort. Over the phone, first she assessed my driving and general horse experience, what I wanted to do with the pony, what size, age range would suit, and then we drew up a prospective "cv". Clare made me think more carefully and stopped me spending hours driving all over the country to see ponies that were bound to be a disappointment. By the time I contacted Clare I'd borrowed several ponies from various sources which either failed the vet or proved unsuitable in other ways. Clare suggested I see one pony which had all the right credentials: I did, but we didn't gel.

I went on holiday, full of gloom at being horse-less. Despite me turning up my dainty nose at the thought of a coloured pony (how ignorant I was) before I left, Clare persevered. She faxed me his picture while I was away and recommended I see him, although he looked like a Friesian cow, thanks to his picture being mangled by the miracle that is international telephony.

I came home.

I moped round the yard and got in the way.

"Why don't you go and see this coloured pony?", they said, "It's got everything you're looking for."

So, reluctantly, I arranged to see him. And this is how I found Sonic (we dropped the Super-, for the sake of our nerves). He was just right for re-building my confidence and I brought him home in July 2000.

Of course, you can try to find your perfect match yourself and through friends, and many people succeed, but when you're a novice at buying a horse and want some reassurance, or if you are an experienced person without enough time, you can save yourself effort and expense by looking at those animals which are most likely to suit you. I rate it an invaluable service for buyers and sellers - and I can still browse Clare's website for my fantasy team... www.carriagelink.com FP

Insurance?

Members may find this extract taken from the minutes of the June meeting of the BHDTA Finance & General Purpose Committee of interest:

“The Treasurer reported that the insurance renewal process was well on its way and most of the confirmations of levels of premiums that had been discussed at the preliminary meeting back in April were now being confirmed by the BEIB. It was reported that the total insurance cost for all insurances that are being proposed for the twelve months commencing on 1 July 2004 is £64,370. This is an increase of £27,500 on the previous year. It was pointed out by the Treasurer that the level of insurance premiums had now reached approximately the same level as the membership subscription income of the Association. He suggested that if the Association was being formed again today it is unlikely that the Council would set up the insurance cover in the way it was, bearing in mind that the whole subscription income would be swallowed by insurance leaving the funding of the Association to have to be raised by other sources of income such as affiliation fees, event levies, donations and trading.” Forewarned is forearmed.

Craghoppers National Driving Championships

10 – 12 September 2004

It is going to be a busy weekend at this year’s Craghoppers National Championships. For the first time for some years all ten classes will be contesting their Championships at Windsor - last year a clash of dates with the World Championships meant that the Horse Pairs had their Championship two weeks earlier at Catton, while in 2002 it was the Horse Teams whose Championship was at Lowther. The Single Horses will be competing for the Dodson & Horrell Championship, while all the other classes will again benefit from the generous support of Craghoppers. A total entry of about 120 competitors is expected. President of the Jury will be Caroline Musker, and the other judges include International Judge Pierre de Chezelles from France.

While Championship competitors are out on the marathon on Saturday, the arenas will be fully utilised with Private Driving classes in Arena 1 and a Classic Car Show in Arena 2 with an Auto Jumble area in Arena 3.

The Private Driving classes will include the Voice Products Novice Horse/Pony Championship with a generous prize of £200 to the winner, and the climax of these classes will be the Voice Products “Meet of Champions” to which the champions from all the major shows in the country have been invited. For the first time a Light Trade Turnout class is being held in conjunction with these show classes, and this is generously sponsored by Carriage Driving Magazine.

The final Cones phase will again be run in two arenas, and during the lunch-break Mark Broadbent of Fenix Carriages introduces a “Coaching Dem-onstration with a Difference”.

This is a “quick change” demonstration, promoted by Fenix Carriages, to give spectators an insight into the efficiency of the coaching era when the speed of changing a team of horses contributed to the overall speed and time schedule of the coach.

The coach will carry a minimum of four passengers who will assist with the change which will take place in a designated area. After unhitching (in the correct recognised sequence) all four horses will be led around a cone approximately 20 yards from the box, and will then be re-hitched. Then the coach will be driven through the finish markers at the box exit where the elapsed time will be recorded, and if deemed appropriate, penalties added by the judges for any errors. The whole procedure will be closely monitored, and if the judges notice any part of the harness not correctly secured, they may intervene to prevent the turnout from moving off until the fault has been rectified.

Four drivers and their teams have been invited to participate and Mark Broadbent will be providing a running commentary including interesting historical details.

It will be a fascinating spectacle not to be missed, and will take place during the lunch break in the National Championships Cones Phase on Sunday, 12 September.

Following their arena performance, the coaches will go for a short drive around Windsor Great Park. A sponsor is being sought to cover the cost of getting these spectacular turnouts to Windsor, and will have the opportunity to ride on one of the coaches for the drive. Contact Mark Broadbent for more details - 01363 866532.

FREE ADMISSION!

Admission to the Championships is free to BHDTA members on production of a membership card. If you wish to bring a caravan, send a £10 cheque, payable to BHDTA Please remember to apply in advance to the Office for a caravan pass.

Visit the official Craghoppers Championships website: www.windsordriving.co.uk

Fenix Carriages Points Leagues

You’ll find the latest Fenix Carriages’ Points Leagues in the BHDTA Supporters’ Tent and on the BHDTA website. Open and Multiples classes are generously sponsored by Mark Broadbent, Fenix Carriages, East Ruckham, Cruwys Morchard, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 8LS, 01363 866532, www.fenixcarriages.co.uk Points are won by competitors taking part in National Driving Trials. See the BHDTA website for the latest results. Following are the results after Henbury Hall:

Events Diary 2004

Club secretaries and event organisers, please send details of your competitions and training events for publication to the BHDTA office by fax or letter, or, even better, go to the website and enter your club’s event details for all to see: they’ll be published here, too. More (free) publicity equals more competitors!

Several clubs have links to their sites, too, and downloadable schedules and entry forms to save valuable time (yours and the Secretary’s).

Carriage Horse newsletter

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.