Powys Carriage Driving Group

It’s been a very busy summer for the club with new ventures such as the arena Challenge competitions being extremely popular. The club has been asked by several show committees to run demonstration competitions – with two main ring performances at Llangynidr Show and an arena set aside for this purpose at Beulah . We have taken an information tent and the rein machine to these and to Vaynor and Brecon County Show  and have had a great deal of interest in driving from the public with new drivers and stewards coming forward. The club continues to receive really good press coverage  - locally in the Brecon and Radnor Express and Nationally in In Harness magazine which dedicated a whole A4 page to the club in the latest (Autumn) issue out now. Fiona Powell the Editor has kindly offered copies of this issue for us to use as raffle prizes at our indoor events and Christmas social so be sure to buy a ticket for a chance to get hold of this issue . It is an excellent informative magazine covering the whole range of carriage driving activities .

The most exciting news is that our club has been accepted by  Indoor Driving Trials UK to organise run the events in their new Mid Wales region. So all our winter indoor driving trials will carry qualifiers for the IHDT National Championships at Keysoe ,1-3rd April 2012. We will continue to charge only £15 for an entry for driving the three phase event which is exceptional value.

There is no cost to the club by affiliating. If you wish to try qualifying for the Championships you do have to belong to the IHDT which is £25  per year for an individual and £60 for a family of two parents and one child. Details are on the Indoor Horse driving group website and if interested  you can then  join online. It is worth joining before your first event if you want to try to qualify as events cannot be included retrospectively. Your PCDG events at Llwynon indoor series all add together to enable you to go to the Championships from the new  Mid Wales region if you are the best in the given categories as explained in the paragraph below..

 The club will be able to send their best small pony( under 11 hands) single and pair , their best novice pony and best  novice horse as well as open and multiple categories. There are also best junior categories and best veteran ( driver 65 years and over) so lots of ways you can try to qualify if you want. All the details can be found on the website for  Indoor Horse Driving Trials UK or you can contact Emily or myself .

If you are a happy grassroots member who doesn’t wish to compete at this level then the club is continuing as before and there will be a special newcomers class. This is for those new to driving and you will be allowed extra support such as a caller for dressage and help from your groom in the cones as well as the obstacles. Every club member can ask for help  from more experienced competitors in walking the course for the cones and obstacles. We want people to enjoy their day’s driving.

Long reining will take place over the lunch break at £5 a turnout – an ideal opportunity to bring on a youngster , get the feel for driving and have fun ! The short lunch break will allow competitors to look round the saddlery shop and enjoy the facilities – especially the cafe.

We hope lots of you will be inspired to come along to drive, long rein and also steward .PLEASE bring friends to help with timekeeping and other small jobs necessary to keep things running smoothly . It’s a great way to have a good day out  and to  watch and learn about indoor driving .

The dates for our indoor events are listed below .

Sun 16 Oct 2011 Llwynon Saddlery

Sun 6 Nov 2011 Llwynon Saddlery

Sun 4 Dec 2011 Llwynon Saddlery

Sun 15 Jan 2012 Llwynon Saddlery

Sun 19 Feb 2012 Llwynon Saddlery

Sun 18 Mar 2012 Llwynon Saddlery

Llwynon Saddlery, Trecastle, Powys, Ask for directions

Entry fee: £15 (all ages/classes) Cheques payable to: Powys Carriage Driving Group

Entries to: Ann Ham, Fanolau Farmhouse, Battle Hill, PONTFAEN, nr Brecon, POWYS LD3 9SH - email [email protected] Tel: 01874 690253

 PLEASE let me know by email , post , telephone or facebook if you are going to take part and please send payment  TEN days before so I can sort out entries. I also need to know of you are sharing a groom , carriage or pony so  I can arrange you sensibly in the running order.

Please note : to keep costs down and for safety reasons: the outdoor arena will NOT BE IN USE for carriages . Warm up time is 10am – 11am in the indoor school . Please arrive in good time to allow warm up as the dressage starts promptly at 11am .

There have been lots of committee meetings since June but due to lack of interest from members no monthly talks with speakers. Please let me know whether you want these and would support them by turning up to the venues.

We do have our Christmas social and meal booked at The Lion,  Builth Wells on Saturday, December 10th at 7pm and tickets are available for the excellent price of £12 . All are welcome : do invite friends , family and  neighbours so there is a great festive get together ! We will also hold  a raffle and would appreciate any raffle prizes you can donate as all proceeds will go towards the club funds.

Finally you will find enclosed some documents :

Copy of the indoor dressage test

Copy of indoor entry form

Details of our exciting Club clothing

I hope that you will be involved in the club activities over the coming winter months . Keep an eye on our website pcdg.webs.com and the Powys Carriage Driving group facebook pages where photographs are added after each event for your enjoyment and lively dialogue is encouraged.

Please don’t hesitate to approach myself or the committee members who are here to help you and are happy to discuss any concerns or ideas you have as well as helping with admin issues.

Enjoy your driving !! And long reining..

All best wishes

Ann Ham ( secretary )