Have YOU ever considered carriage driving? If not, WHY NOT?!

I <3 My Teddi said:
Cost has stopped me, its something I would love to have a go at but owning a horse and having those lessons would cripple me!!

I only know one place that teaches it round here too, and i wouldn't particularly go there at all!

I would like to do that really fast one, where they go between the cones.... love watching that!!
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SCURRY!! I tried my hand at that earlier in the year - was all set to start going out to the county shows to try and qualify for HOYS with my dun pair - but sadly financial and transport considerations (and no groom!) meant I had to say a sad goodbye to the boys and they are very happy in their new home! I know the cost thing is pretty major. But most of us do manage it on a shoe string, buying and selling our way through carriages, continually upgrading and finding secondhand odds and ends to add to our collection of equipment, and being eternally grateful for ebay.
 
I love it after helping a friend but after looking into it I decided that feasibly I couldnt afford to do it myself because of set up costs, transport to shows and the fact it is not a one person sport i.e. I keep my horses at home and am only horsey person so no codriver - I couldnt harness up and get out on the roads just on my own, let alone compete.
 
nativeponies said:
snigger
;)
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Ouch....:o:o I'd love to see some "riders" handle a team of warmbloods round some obstacles.. or even in a straight line! There are those who can't ride, genuinely, like a guy I know who is paralysed from the chest down who competes against able-bodied people in normal competition, and beats them, time and time again? Alot of the top drivers have incredibly successful pasts as riders... And yes, there are some total numpties out there who have taken up driving having been totally useless as riders.. And they are usually still useless as drivers too. But hey, if they enjoy it and they aren't killing themselves or their pony, good luck to them!!;)
 
shysmum said:
I'm going on a driving training course for riding for the disabled next week, and I cannot wait !! I've always wanted to have a go - bet I'll get the bug and have to get hold of a trap for Shy next :eek:
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I'm very excited for you, that sounds like a wonderful thing to do. I think the RDA training for AB whips is really good from what I hear, and I bet you do catch the bug!! And don't limit yourself to Shy - what about your small and adorable spotty person? The little'uns are great fun too!!
 
Jericho said:
I love it after helping a friend but after looking into it I decided that feasibly I couldnt afford to do it myself because of set up costs, transport to shows and the fact it is not a one person sport i.e. I keep my horses at home and am only horsey person so no codriver - I couldnt harness up and get out on the roads just on my own, let alone compete.
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Know the feeling, hence my previous comment. My OH would be useless as a groom n dangerous as a driver! :(
 
crockshard said:
Ouch....:o:o I'd love to see some "riders" handle a team of warmbloods round some obstacles.. or even in a straight line! There are those who can't ride, genuinely, like a guy I know who is paralysed from the chest down who competes against able-bodied people in normal competition, and beats them, time and time again? Alot of the top drivers have incredibly successful pasts as riders... And yes, there are some total numpties out there who have taken up driving having been totally useless as riders.. And they are usually still useless as drivers too. But hey, if they enjoy it and they aren't killing themselves or their pony, good luck to them!!;)
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i agree..i'd love to drive my pony
 
rara007 said:
Not quite :p 122 people at Windsor with in some classes only about 60% of people qualifying although others at 100%
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Oi Oi I'm quoting In Harness Magazine!! Blame Fiona Powell or Chris Hillman for the stats!!
Who am I? Crikey, that's a bit existential for a tuesday morning. Who are you?! Evidently a young driver? Who's is the team of gingers?
I'm not very well known - I compete in the South East and now Kent/Sussex for the Indoor season, in Open pony cos I drove a pair last year. Maybe we should exchange identities via PM:p
 
Dad has team of gingers :) Colin Allens old team + a few :)

I'm probably doing Kent region indoors :) def not the first though. Was at wix, just been spaced out due to family :p

Fiona does a fab job organising so much, can't fault her :p
 
I went on a one day beginners Shire driving course at Wimpole Hall farm for my birthday, we got to tack them up, long rein with voice commands, grass sledge and then drive a carriage. I loved it and i'd like to learn to drive in future.
 
I bought a little trap second hand off this forum and taught my shetland to drive - he loves it. He is a 16 year old, never been broken companion and I had never driven before, but I found it pretty straightforward - I did go on a half day course run by BHS, but that was it. We are lucky to have good lanes and tracks to drive along, but he is also bomb proof on the roads. It has given him a lovely interest and my daughter loves it.
I am not so keen on the idea of competing, I don't think my pony could cope, physically (he has wonky back legs) but it is good for helping to keep the weight of the shetland and perfect for children's parties, the village gala and delivering presents at christmas:)
 
shelley8697 said:
Can anyone post pictures of their driving shetlands, miniatures or sections A's....

Thanks
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Pumpkin on the left and Munchkin on the right.
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And this one is for sale....
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i would love to try it - I love the concourse d'elegance (the welsh cobs are just so lovely), the horse trials (the agility of the teams and pairs through the obstacles), and the heavy horses.

I've love nothing more than to learn to drive a team of horses. I just cannot afford it!
 
2 of my friends compete in horse driving trials, and a couple of years ago I went with 1 of them to Sandringham '3 day event' - I tell you, it was exciting to watch, and it really did make me want to try it....... Daniel (can't remember his surname, rides for a stunt team) competes at this sport, and I had the pleasure of meeting him, along with Alf Bowman and Karen Bassett...

There was a woman there who competes part-bred spanish horses (I think they're crossed with shires (??)) and they were absolutely amazing to watch!!

I would LOVE to compete in driving trials, but I'm afraid it is a very expensive sport.
 
Where is the best place to buy a cart and what sort is best for a beginner? I plan to break 14hh Blue in to drive but am also considering doing something with the mini shetties too. Any advice greatly appreciated!
 
I originally had aoibhin's SWA and my plan was to break to harness and give competitions a bash.... it was a lovely pipe dream while it lasted, before reality hit, funds ran out and the OH made a stand about the amount of equines in the family.
 
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