Powys Carriage Driving Group

The last event of the affiliated series was held on 9th March giving those off to the Indoor Driving Trials fInals at Keysoe a chance to try the new championship tests. Competing for Mid Wales will be Jonathan Rees in Open Horse , Peter Sidebottom in Intermediate Horse , Gwyn Rees in Veteran , Ray Hopkins in multiples with his large pony pair , Janice Sidebottom in Novice Horse , Alison Dascombe in Novice pony and Emily Ham in Open Pony.

All these qualifiers are also keen members of Powys Carriage Driving Group and will be perfecting their skills at the club’s training session on 24th March at Llwynon Saddlery .

Numbers were down at the weekend event when the day was moved to Saturday due to the forecast of ice and snow on Sunday, but this meant extra time which could be put to good use !Peter Sidebottom had kindly made a wooden bridge for the club and decorated with greenery it was very like the one to be encountered at Keysoe. The bridge was ac dramatic spectacle as it was driven from each direction in the cones course and as a short route option in Obstacles 1 and 3.

It was a very enjoyable event and there was time to practise riding the course in preparation for taking part in the Saturday night evening entertainment at the Championships. This is a fundraiser for Cancer research and regions send in a driver who completes the course as fast as possible their backstepper then leaps onto the waiting horse and rides the course against the clock . The pair with the least time and ball penalties wins the event . The team from Mid Wales are Jonathan driving his horse Rolo and Alison’s backstepper Katherine is riding her pony Lady . Club members Emily Ham driving and Peter Sidebottom riding have been selected to represent Wales and Gloucester as they also qualified from that area. So the club has four in the team competition and represents two regions of Wales as well as 7 in the Championships !

Although the winter series has finished there will be plenty of driving through the summer with training on how to drive and backstep competition vehicles , Arena challenge events, show demonstrations and one day events. Anyone wanting to find out about driving or who would like to become involved in stewarding should contact Ann Ham on 01874 690253 or email on [email protected] . Newcomers are always welcome!