Leo Walker
Well-Known Member
My friend and I went to Bennington yesterday to do one of the driving taster days. I had an amazing time! I have never met such a lot of kind, generous people who are so passionate about what they do.
Some of the harnessing up etc I was already ok with, but having never driven anything bigger than a small shetland I got to drive some 14.2hhs. Unlike riding where at this stage I would still be walking on a lead rein, we got to go out on former and current international driving ponies, and have a go at cones and obstacles.
This is me driving a 28yr old pony who is used as a patent safety for anyone learning. He had been very steady and sedate until I got up and then he was off like a rocket :lol: He had to be made to walk and come down a gear!
No idea why we are black and white and the grass is green!
[video]https://www.facebook.com/vickie.aldus/videos/10154840906103667/[/video]
And this is Sarah. Apparently if you are involved in driving you know Sarah.
I loved her and didnt want to get off when I was driving her. I got to take her for a blast down the other end of the field. Shes so keen and forward and clearly loves her job. I'm hoping mine is like her, he seems to be so far, although not sure he will be an international trials pony
I think the look on my face says it all here
Everyone else had a go at backstepping with a tandem but my back wont stand up to anything like that. Luckily for me my friend who was with me is going to backstep for me, so she went twice so she could get a really good feel for it.
We also got to look round the factory and see how they make the carriages. I can see now why they are so expensive. It takes a team two weeks on average to make one!
So now I've had my head turned and am wondering which limb/organ I can sell to get myself a marathon vehicle :lol:
I'll hopefully get Leo put to next weekend and can come back to earth driving my little two wheel exercise cart and my ex traveller pony
Some of the harnessing up etc I was already ok with, but having never driven anything bigger than a small shetland I got to drive some 14.2hhs. Unlike riding where at this stage I would still be walking on a lead rein, we got to go out on former and current international driving ponies, and have a go at cones and obstacles.
This is me driving a 28yr old pony who is used as a patent safety for anyone learning. He had been very steady and sedate until I got up and then he was off like a rocket :lol: He had to be made to walk and come down a gear!
No idea why we are black and white and the grass is green!
[video]https://www.facebook.com/vickie.aldus/videos/10154840906103667/[/video]
And this is Sarah. Apparently if you are involved in driving you know Sarah.
I loved her and didnt want to get off when I was driving her. I got to take her for a blast down the other end of the field. Shes so keen and forward and clearly loves her job. I'm hoping mine is like her, he seems to be so far, although not sure he will be an international trials pony
I think the look on my face says it all here
Everyone else had a go at backstepping with a tandem but my back wont stand up to anything like that. Luckily for me my friend who was with me is going to backstep for me, so she went twice so she could get a really good feel for it.
We also got to look round the factory and see how they make the carriages. I can see now why they are so expensive. It takes a team two weeks on average to make one!
So now I've had my head turned and am wondering which limb/organ I can sell to get myself a marathon vehicle :lol:
I'll hopefully get Leo put to next weekend and can come back to earth driving my little two wheel exercise cart and my ex traveller pony
