Carriage drivers - you rock!!!

Saucisson

Saucisson

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Were went to Mechelen/Malin yesterday (for the national not international jumping :D)

I have to say, I was absolutely blown away by the carriage drivers!!!! There were about 4 or 5 carriages (each with 4 horses) in the warm-up arena. They were charging around and doing super-tight turns and I was awestruck.

Here's a link to one of the teams in the main arena but for me, the warm-up was just a sight to behold, it's so much faster in reality too.

http://wn.com/FEI_World_Cup_Driving_Mechelen_2010_Theo_Timmerman_Warm_Up

So respect to the carriage drivers out there, you took my breath away!!! :)
 
Jealous you got there ;) That commentator is fab too- I'm not sure if he did it there but he changes between languages so effortlessly!
 
Saucisson said:
Were went to Mechelen/Malin yesterday (for the national not international jumping :D)

I have to say, I was absolutely blown away by the carriage drivers!!!! There were about 4 or 5 carriages (each with 4 horses) in the warm-up arena. They were charging around and doing super-tight turns and I was awestruck.

Here's a link to one of the teams in the main arena but for me, the warm-up was just a sight to behold, it's so much faster in reality too.

http://wn.com/FEI_World_Cup_Driving_Mechelen_2010_Theo_Timmerman_Warm_Up

So respect to the carriage drivers out there, you took my breath away!!! :)
Click to expand...

Fantastic, thanks for the link. I think it is a very much under rated equestrian discipline. The control and training of pairs, 4 or 6 must be tremendous. We are lucky enough to live fairly near George Bowman and can see him driving occasionally. Also Holker is now a great venue for driving, taking over from Lowther.

Were those by any chance Gelderlanders being driven? A much underrated breed, according to Captain, a KWPN Gelders horse!

My lad used to do that and according to a friend, who knew him in his previous life, was very successful. He can certainly turn on a sixpence, especially if he does not want to go somewhere. He is retraining as a dressage/ retired horse, tbh more retired than dressage but he is nearly 17 so have to be a bit more careful now.

Do you drive? I would love to learn but lack of instructors over here.

Great thread, thanks.

FDC
 
Rara - They are horribley fluent aren't they? The chap that OH is currently training horses for is fluent in no less than 6 languages :eek:

Fany - I think it's underrated too. It really bought a lump to my throat to see them all. Unfortunately I don't drive but I'd love to try it (not with my horse though :eek:). Boyd Excell (sp?) was there, he was the only one I'd heard of. Mind you, when I saw the trucks in the car park :eek:, serious money is required to cart all that kit around.

I have to be honest, the showjumping looked a bit tame after :p
 
It is brilliant fun too - I spent a few seasons grooming for a chao that competed nationally in pony pairs. The marathon is great fun and there are usually always people looking for marathon grooms (ie those that sit on the back of the carriage and act as a counter balance) - so if you fancy a crack at it.....

http://www.horsedrivingtrials.co.uk/

http://www.scda.co.uk/

Have a look on the links section on these websites and contact your nearest regional clubs (no good for the european posters - sorry!).

There are lots of grass root events around. :)
 
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