Powys Carriage Driving Group

At the Affiliated indoor horse driving trials for January run by Powys Carriage Driving Group, club members were on fine form ! Jonathan Rees in Open Horse once again rocketed to victory with extremely fast obstacle times after a good dressage and cones to finish by winning the class and taking the Best Score of the Day on an excellent score of 132.5pens.

In second place overall winning young driver Emily Curnock, 13, showed her talent with the second highest dressage score of the day just one point adrift and the only double clear round in the cones judging the time allowed exactly and not knocking off any balls at all. Her obstacle times were quick even though she was disadvantaged by driving a two wheeler against the other four wheeled competition carriages but Emily drives very smoothly choosing a good line into the obstacles. Her outgrown Pony Club pony Dollar which she broke to harness herself just last April has really taken to the sport and is very responsive and fast. Dad, Paul, also drove Dollar with a hard fought contest in the Club class especially in the obstacles to come in a close second to Vicky Kedward the winner..

Dressage judge Natalie Hammond was impressed by the accuracy and skill of the drivers which showed in excellent marks for precision. The good schooling techniques are improving the paces too, so high scores were awarded with the top mark of the day of 13.5 penalties ( 86.5%) awarded to a delighted Victoria Kedward driving her Section C stallion Gurnos Eyecatcher. This homebred pony was also driven in all three phases by her son Jack who is just ten years old and was hoof perfect all day! Vicky won the club class and Jack the Younger Driver Class.

Young Driver Rhian Ralph brought her Section C used to driven showing for the short class of just dressage and cones, having long reined a pony pair round the short class at the December event.

Rowena Moyse came up from Swansea with two pony pairs to take first and second in the multiples class. The more experienced grey pair achieved a dressage of 14.5 pens ( joint second overall in dressage) and only 3 penalties (for being too fast) in the cones and fast obstacles to end on 184.5 pens ten points ahead of the black pair of younger ponies.

In Novice Horse Janice Sidebottom driving Paddy again won her class on 180 pens ahead of Carl Ward who is growing in confidence and improving at each event and clearly enjoying competing. While in Open Horse Janice’s husband Peter drove a good dressage and cones but had a barrel down in the obstacles that lost him points and time allowing Ray Hopkins with his fast obstacle times to take second place behind Jonathan.

Open Pony was missing Emily Ham who was busy with university exams. Ray Hopkins ( Veteran ) and Alison Dascombe ( Intermediate ) were on equal scores going into the obstacles but Alison wisely took these very steadily with her young pony Tommy who is only 4 and just starting competitions. Alison was thrilled with Tommy for his performance and with her sympathetic driving he is going to be one to watch! . Ray scorched round the obstacles to take the class on 156.6 pens.

It was a very enjoyable day with the sun shining and all the competitors having fun as well as great competition. The next affiliated event is at Llwynon Saddlery, with its wonderful facilities and great cafe, on Sunday February 16th and the next event at Usk Equestrian centre is on February 8th . Spectators are always most welcome. There will be an Introduction to Carriage Driving Day at Usk on Friday February 28th open to anyone who wants to have a hands on experience of driving. Please contact Ann Ham on 01874 690253 or email [email protected] for further information.