Driving Dates for your Diary

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14th July
Southern Carriage Driving Show
Results

29th September
Indoor Carriage Driving Competition
Results ...
IDT Novice
IDT Intermediate
IDT Open

Carriage Driving in
the Southeast

Carriage Driving has been a part of RDA since 1975 and is particularly useful for people who are unable to ride due to their disability or prefer a different kind of challenge. Many of the benefits of riding are also relevant to carriage driving; it helps to improve coordination and balance and gives the disabled driver a wonderful sense of freedom being out in the open air with a pony.

The ponies used are all assessed for safety and suitability, as are the volunteers (RDA Whips) who sit beside them in the carriage with a second set of reins so that they can give assistance where needed. The carriages are especially designed to carry wheelchairs if necessary. Every time a disabled driver is taken out they are accompanied by at least two volunteers

Drivers can progress in the same way as the riders, many, due to their disability, just go for pleasure drives around the countryside and if they are unable to hold the reins the RDA Whip sitting beside them will do the driving. Often it is the only time these participants are able to go out in the open air.

Other participants are taught to drive and are encouraged to compete in RDA competitions and open shows where there is a suitable class for them. Classes include showing, dressage, cones and obstacle driving. There are also grade tests that can be taken.

Some drivers progress out of RDA and attend training days and go on to compete internationally.

2011 INDOOR CARRIAGE DRIVING REPORT

On the 29th October the RDA South East Region held their annual Indoor Carriage Driving Event, on a gloriously hot autumn day. Twenty eight drivers from five different Groups took part, each driver drove a dressage test followed by a round of cones in the morning and then two obstacles were built for the afternoon. The novices drove them once and the Intermediate and open classes drove them twice. First in the Open class was Jamie Williams driving Val Ayres Prince of Orange from Kipling County. Jamie was third in the final of the IHDT Intermediate pony class this year driving his own pony. Last year’s winner of the Intermediate class, Jill Alexander, was second driving Judi Ralls’ Oakhaze McClintok from Stella Hancock. Third was Sarah Baverstock driving her own pony, Kelly, from Heron’s Ghyll.

The winner of last year’s Novice class Tracey Spencer driving Anthea Shipley’s lovely coloured cob, Bertie Bassett from Heron’s Ghyll won the Intermediate class. Second was Sally Scott driving Alan from Kipling County and third was Sue Sherlock driving her own pony, Serenade, from Happy Landings.

The Novice class included six who were competing for the first time. The winner was Lee Childs driving Prince of Orange from Kipling County. Second was Sarah Payne driving the Pritchard’s Northleach Roulette from Stella Hancock. Third was Josie Cyster driving Dennis from Kipling County.