Powys Carriage Driving Group

Indoor Driving Trial enthusiasts enjoyed another exciting affiliated competition at the weekend with twelve entries forward for the December event. The pace is hotting up with local Powys Carriage Driving Group members keen to qualify for the National Championships in April and the cones driving was particularly skilful with few time penalties and knockdowns. Jonathan Rees winner again in Open Horse had a superb double clear and was, as usual, extremely fast through the obstacles.

Fastest through the obstacles and with only 2 pens in the cones – for being under the optimum time – Emily Ham consolidated her win in Open Pony with an outstanding dressage score of 81.5% from dressage judge Sheila Macmillan which equates to only 18.5 penalties .Emily has been very busy away at Aberystwyth on her MSc studies so was especially pleased with her pony’s performance across all three phases and thrilled to achieve the best Score of the Day in such good company.

Ray Hopkins up from West Wales to drive in both Open Horse and Open Pony is on excellent form and looking a strong contender to qualify as Best Veteran Driver. The combined age of groom, pony and driver on this occasion was a amazing 156 years! Ray was third in the Horse class as, in spite of a very good cones round, Peter Sidebottom overtook him in the obstacles to climb up the leaderboard with the overall third best score of the day. Ray was second in Open Pony ahead of Alison Dascombe and Jellybean who just couldn’t match their pace through the obstacles on this occasion after being neck and neck at the end of phase 2. Annette Davies took on the job of backstepping for Alison as well as her exemplary effort as“ arena surface manager” or poo picker!

Also up from South West Wales Nikki and John Shutt each took first place in their classes with Exmoor pony Irvine, who at this event was not always cooperating and focussing to his best so both drove extremely well. Christine Evans driving her youngster Pops was second in Novice pony. Christine backstepped for Emily in the cones and John was also extremely busy backstepping for the two quickest drivers as well as his dear wife!

Janice Sidebottom won Novice Horse ahead of Carl Ward also from South West Wales. Carl is really getting the hang of driving trials and was only one point adrift after the dressage and cones but going steadily round the obstacles allowed Janice to roar ahead even though Paddy was NOT making it an easy day’s driving!

Junior drivers had been struck down by various lurgies so there was only one forward. Rhian Ralph,16, made her pairs debut at Llwynon Saddlery event centre with Section A ponies who she long reined energetically round the dressage test and the cones. This was a wonderful display of skill and control as well as personal fitness!

The next indoor events are both fun days with mini competitions and fancy dress with a Christmas theme. These are at LLwynon Saddlery on Saturday 14th December and the Indoor Equestrian Centre at Usk college on December 28th . Spectators are very welcome and any one interested in joining the club or learning to drive should contact Ann Ham on 01874 690253 or [email protected]