I'm going to try carriage driving - yippee

[JaniceH]

After a PM to Monty about possibly having a lesson at her RDA school in Wales, looking on her RDA school website there was a bit about RDA carriage driving. This got me interested, as not being able to canter, it would enable me to add another dimension to riding in a way that I might be able to achieve. I suggested driving to my own riding instructor who thought it would be a great idea. I contacted the Riding for the Disabled and they put me in contact with my local RDA Driving co-ordinator who fortunately lives only about 35mins away! I have spoken to her tonight and they have a place for me! I am going to learn to carriage drive yippeee! They apparantly meet up once a week, and have ponies and carriages to use, you learn how to tack up and drive a single pony and they have registered instructors and they go out on picnics and things in the summer as well - sounds great! Has anyone got any advice or helpful hints to give me?

[chev]

Brilliant! No advice really, except... enjoy! :D

A friend of mine used to do carriage driving with the RDA, with a little sec A gelding - he was fantastic. I learnt to drive with him. It did feel very strange to begin with - kept trying to use my legs and seat! I'm not big on driving though, limited to quiet plods out with a cob we had and that's about it, but it is really good fun. We trained Shad to drive when he was in his thirties, although he'd been driven in his youth. I always thought of it as a bit like riding by remote.

Good luck! I think you'll have loads of fun! :D

[Laetitia]

You'll have a brilliant time. The RDA have a lot of fun and you certainly learn a lot. Have a super time and you'll probably find that your group do serious comp. as well . L

[Esther.D]

No advice except have a brilliant time and get as hooked as the rest of us drivers on here.

Oh actually I have one bit of advice.....as a rider you will probably feel very out of control and the horse will feel a million miles in front of you on your first lesson. Don't worry most riders feel like that first time ;) You might however be totally calm and collected and have not a fear in the world. Have a great time - driving is definitely the most fun you can have with a horse (well ok I'm a bit prejudiced :D ). George Bowman (national and international competition driving star if you haven't run across him before) started driving after he broke his pelvis in an accident and couldn't walk let alone ride...within two years he was driving a four-in-hand and a few years later he was national champion:D

[Laetitia]

He's amazing to watch isn't he? pure magic. and there's me being all hopeless in an obstacle,still get there one day. L

[Esther.D]

If I compete my tandem this year I will be against him in our local club (we only live about 30 miles from his yard). There is only a single multiples class which generally consists of
George Bowman
George Bowman jnr
Alan Todd

and next year maybe two 39" shetlands...hmmmm I wonder if their fourth rosettes are a nice colour :rolleyes: Well we did beat Geoff Brown (world team pairs) through the obstacles a few years ago (driving a pair of 39" shetlands):D

[JaniceH]

Thanks for all your replies - Chev, riding by remote, perhaps it wasn't quite the feeling you wanted lol but I quite like that, I love riding, but my body just won't do all the things I ask it too when I am riding, so perhaps driving may be a back door route to some things for me! Like going faster than a slow trot!

Laetitia - I am SO looking forward to it all starting, they meet up for a couple of times in February before they start driving for coffee to plan what they are doing for the year, they even transport everyone to the seaside to carriage drive on the beach.

Esther D. - as I am quite new to this carriage driving thing, don't really know any 'names', but I will look him up on the net, but what a major injury, to come back from and achieve all that.

I am so excited I'm like a little kid!

[Miriam]

Originally posted by Esther.D
If I compete my tandem this year I will be against him in our local club (we only live about 30 miles from his yard). There is only a single multiples class which generally consists of
George Bowman
George Bowman jnr
Alan Todd

and next year maybe two 39" shetlands...hmmmm I wonder if their fourth rosettes are a nice colour :rolleyes: Well we did beat Geoff Brown (world team pairs) through the obstacles a few years ago (driving a pair of 39" shetlands):D

Sounds like Gemma and I will have to get the little ****** under control and get pitting against you Esther if there are a singles class :)

Janice Go and enjoy it. It certainly does open up a new world.

[Esther.D]

Yep there is a singles class.....I might decide to go single next year if I had an incentive like that......it would only be the second time I have ever competed against another shetland!

[Wally]

You'll love it....or hate it, Frances' youngest hates riding, put her in the cart and we cannot gallop fast enough down the track (cantering and galloping is frowned upon in ordinary driving circles, only the scurry and obstacle driving allow you to go balls out) Put Frances in the cart, who rides no. one nutter in the universe, if you trot too fast she swears at you!

What ever you do it'll be fun and new. Relax and enjoy it.