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The BHDTA undertakes carriage driving training in a number of ways: For more information on training, please contact a member of the BHDTA Training Committee. |
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| At the start of each season, the BHDTA
organise a number of clinics, aimed at both drivers and event officials.
These include training for Course Builders, Judges and Stewards for
National as well as Club events. There are also lectures explaining
competition rules and advice from the top event officials in the UK and
abroad. A diary of clinics is published on our website and places can be booked on-line or via the BHDTA office. Most clinics are open to anyone interested and there may be a fee chargeable, to cover the cost of the venue and lunch. There are some specialist clinics, at which attendance is by invitation only. These clinics are very popular and places may be limited, so make
sure you book early. To see the list of clinics for this year, go to our
DRIVING CLINICS page. | |||||
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UK Coaching Certificate (Driving) What is coaching? Traditionally all equestrian training has been through a ‘Telling’ model. An instructor tells the pupil(s) what to do. Most of us will have been part of this process, with varying success. It will remain an important part of an athletes needs but without Coaching it is recognised that an Instructor or Trainer has a very limited long term impact. Athletes need both. Instruction does not make the pupil an independent learner and the content of the lesson is very much ‘instructor centred’. It is not necessarily based on the pupil’s needs nor does it address the pupil’s broader requirements. Coaching is about long term development. The coach is far more involved in getting the pupils to evaluate their own progress and where they want to go. It is not always involved with actually driving. The coach will be looking at a much broader picture, particularly further up the levels. A coach will be aiming to allow their pupils – the athletes - to consider everything they do to allow them to develop and be successful. This is not about quick fixes. It is about creating sound knowledge and skill through proper training. You have to get the basics right. This may sound ‘woolly’ but at Level 3 (National Level) the coach will not only be helping the Driver with the training of the horse, they will be looking at the physical aspects of the horse and the driver, the kit, the athlete’s life style, etc. |
This could include the involvement of other specialists - when you drive are you stronger on one side than the other, are you sitting effectively, is your core strength up to the job you are asking yourself to do? This means, do you drive to advantage or disadvantage your horse(s). The whole picture is considered - not just making the horse bend or go faster through the obstacles. This is the level of activity the Level 3 coach considers with the pupil. The coach encourages the pupils to be involved in the greater picture and the long term development of themselves and the horse(s). Coaching treats both the driver and the horse as athletes. The Coach does very limited ‘telling’ and concentrates on other teaching methods to encourage the pupil to be the central point of their learning. This will suit many drivers, who find it very difficult to be told. Our athletes will still need the instructor and the instructor can also be a coach. But once the instructor has learnt to coach, their athletes will have a far more balanced and interesting experience based on their needs – which should lead to greater success and the development of our sport. Further down the line – we want more medals. The UKCC Coaching courses are fun, with lots of practical coaching activities and all candidates are well supported to achieve the qualification. The qualification, even at level 2 is not ‘given away’, and there are no grandfather rights. The course is exactly the same across all equestrian sports, the only difference being that we do the course in the driving environment. |
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See as list of UKCC qualified
driving coaches |
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There are many Driving Clubs throughout the country, affiliated to the BHDTA. These clubs organise training and practice sessions at local level. Newcomers to the sport are encouraged to join a club to benefit from the experience of more advanced drivers and facilities offered by the club. To find your nearest
driving club, see the List of
Affiliated Clubs, or contact the
BHDTA office. |
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| There are many training opportunities for young drivers.
The BHDTA organise Easter and Summer camps as well as training sessions,
where young drivers get the opportunity to gain experience under the
guidance of experienced drivers and trainers. See the
Young Drivers' section on this
website for more information on these events. |
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| The role of the BHDTA Training Committee | |||||
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Over the years the Training Committee’s brief has widened with the development of the Sport and training has become a 'must do' part of everyone’s driving repertoire, if they were going to aspire to successful competition driving. The Government has introduced a UK Coaching Certificate, which has created universally accepted standard levels of coaching ability across all disciplines. The BHDTA now has an increasing, bona fide list of UKCC Coaches with Government qualifications. The Drivers with Disabilities have formed a competitive group. They are very well organised with a structured training plan which has brought them international success. With the introduction of Indoor Driving came an influx of new young drivers and the Training Committee’s efforts have been invaluable to their development. |
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The British National Young Drivers Group runs Easter and Summer camps for training as well as the Young Drivers’ National Championships, which have been running for 4 years and are well supported. The Talented Athletes Scholarship Scheme has recognised driving and awarded several young drivers a training grant. As the sport has grown worldwide, international championships for Singles, Pairs and Combined Ponies as well as Disabled Drivers have given more impetus to furthering the structure of training. Although training is considered to be the individual’s responsibility, organised team training for those interested in international competition has developed and follows a more professional approach, modelled on the World Class Development Programme. |
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 Have
you ever wondered what Horse Driving Trials is all about ? The British
Horse Driving Trials Association have produced an informative DVD, which
can be purchased through the
merchandise section of this web-site.
Sponsored jointly by Bennington Carriages and Zilco Harness, the programme shows that driving trials is a fun and friendly sport. The enthusiasm of competitors and helpers is evident through a wide range of interviews, from the doyen of the driving world George Bowman, to relative newcomer Chris Ainscough. Joint sponsor Sue Mart of Bennington Carriages said, “We’ve all been enjoying the sport for years but I think it’s probably one of the best kept secrets in the equestrian world! I’m sure this programme will capture the interest of many people who might not have thought about it before.” DVDs are available to equestrian clubs through the British Horse Driving Trials Association. For further details please contact the BHDTA office. |
Bennington are holding Try Driving Days to give a taste of what the sport has to offer. The first weekend will be 21st & 22nd March 2009, followed by 25th & 26th April. Come along if you are a complete novice or looking to brush up your driving skills. Further details at www.bennington.co.uk. Bennington Carriages is based at Long Bennington, ideally situated just off the A1 between Grantham and Newark.
Visit the www.sportsdriving.co.uk website for more information on the Try Driving trials initiative. | ||||
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| The BHDTA Training Committee has formed the World Class
Performance Driving Committee (WCPDC), with each international class
represented by its Chef d’Equipe. There is now a plan to improve
performances through exchange of knowledge and use of professional
modern sciences.
As the sport has grown worldwide, international championships for Singles, Pairs and Combined Ponies as well as Disabled Drivers have given more impetus to furthering the structure of training. Although training is considered to be the individual’s responsibility, organised team training for those interested in international competition has developed and follows a more professional approach, modelled on the World Class Development Programme. |
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