Powys Carriage Driving Group

Powys Carriage Driving Group drivers have excelled in this season’s very competitive classes at the affiliated indoor horse driving trials events in Wales with adult and junior drivers turning in excellent scores at affiliated venues. The recent event at Llwynon Saddlery, Trecastle was a Battle Royale in most classes to secure the first place and maximum points to qualify for the National Indoor Championships in April.

Jonathan Rees, unbeaten in Open Horse in all four competitions this season, drove another good dressage test , a double clear in the cones and exceptionally fast obstacles to storm ahead of Peter Sidebottom and secure the second best score of the day. Winner of Novice Horse again was Michelle Peters.

Emily Ham, winner of Open Pony, is also unbeaten this year over three events – each time with the Best Score of the Day. She started well with the Best dressage of the day on 85.5%, drove clear in the cones with just two time penalties – for being too fast – and was fastest in the obstacles. Second was Alison Dascombe with Lady, winner at South Wales and the November event at Cricklands. She was also fourth with her younger pony. Alison had an amazing double clear in cones with each pony !

Junior drivers impressed. Rebecca Jones won the Club class at her first ever event driving Alison’s Lady. Last month’s winner Jack Kedward, the youngest competitor at the Mid Wales events. had to settle for second on this occasion but is always exciting to watch! His mum Vicky Kedward was third taking it more steady with a young pony.

Junior drivers are dominating the Novice Pony Classes although Ruth Jenkins won on this occasion as she did at South Wales in October. Ruth had only one penalty in the cones and very fast obstacle times. Melita Powell was close behind and Best Junior of the Day. Melita, who lives locally, has only been driving a year and is growing in confidence each time out. She kept a cool head in all three phases with the best novice dressage, only two time penalties in the cones and very fast obstacles.

Last month’s Novice champion Emily Curnock, 14, on the same winning dressage score was in contention throughout until she overshot a gate speeding through the last obstacle and unfortunately picked up 20 penalties to drop her to third.

Fourth and best paradriver was Erinna Rogers who drove very sympathetically throughout. Erinna has only recently re-joined the club and is keen to take up the regular training opportunities that the club provides.

The next events are November 29th at Usk Equestrian College and December 7th at Llwynon Saddlery. Spectators are always welcome. If you are interested in finding out more about this exciting sport please contact Ann Ham on [email protected] or 01874 690253