Powys Carriage Driving Group

Powys Carriage Driving Group are pleased to have put Mid Wales well and truly on the map. As a result of becoming affiliated to the Indoor Horse Driving Trials UK and running a very successful winter series of monthly competitions the Powys region is now recognised as a driving force in the indoor league.

The recent event was a final opportunity to practise for the four drivers who are making the long journey to Keysoe for the Indoor Finals at the end of March. For all those who qualified it is a tremendous achievement but the Group contenders at the Championships will be Veteran Gwyn Rees who held off a strong challenge from son Jonathan, also qualified , in Open Horse on Sunday. Peter Sidebottom , winner of Novice Horse , also with the best dressage of the day and Emily Ham winner of Open Pony who achieved the best score of the day.; Emily , from near Brecon , will also be representing Mid Wales in the exciting Saturday night Arena Challenge competition , a fast and furious drive off of the best drivers from all the different regions taking part in the Championships.

Qualifying for the finals is especially exciting for Peter , an experienced rider from LLanwrda, who took up driving less than a year ago . He has brought on Paddy , his lovely 5 year old coloured gelding with the help of his wife Janice who also drives and won her class with Paddy with an impressive score. She will be the backstepper at the Finals where they are strong contenders inNovice Horse after a very successful winter series.

Rachel Thomas , who has been outstanding throughout the winter events with Shetland Ted , and her mum Jacqui Bevan also qualified. However both decided to aim for the 2013 championships as this was their first season in driving trials events. At the recent event both drove their homebred pony Ben who settled well at his first competition indoors to gain Rachel 3rd and Best Junior and Jacqui first place in the club class. Separating the two , Pat Dutson took second place with her Welsh cob ,mare Ceri . Liz Powell in fourth with her horse Samson had a very good dressage test.

Rhianna Phillips, 15 , from Brecon also drove Samson in the dressage and cones as her driving debut. Rhianna is aiming to develop skills in driving as part of her Duke of Edinburgh Award. It was a focussed and well judged performance as it is no mean feat to steer a 15 hand heavy cob and its carriage accurately. Her 18 year old sister Jennie , also at her first competition , was backstepper for Emily in the dressage and cones and drove the dressage test with calm confidence . Both girls enjoyed themselves tremendously .

Powys Carriage Driving Group is most grateful to the supportive dressage judges , Vivien and Tony Clarke from Gloucester , who gave everyone good advice and excellent tips and extra training to the Championship contenders . The club would also like to thank Lynn and Graham Butt of Llwynon Saddlery for their hospitality and the use of their excellent facilities throughout the winter series.