Bennington or Bellcrown?

[JaniceH]

Thinking about what sort of carriage to eventually get (once we have pony), my driving instructor doesnt rate anything other than Bennington (ok he does run a pro driving yard, so I wouldnt expect anything else!). But the cost issue is certainly affecting me. I know that Bennington are the creme de la creme of carriages, and Bellcrown are not seen in the same class but what are the practical differences in useage or wear that anyone knows of.

My definate needs are that it needs to be able to dismantle.
Winding balance weight
large wheels (pref in red)
sizes available for ponies between 10 and 11.2h
Basket under seat, either wicker or wire
Look more traditional that exercise cart

This is the Bellcrown one and the wheels come in red and it,
http://fp.bellcrown.f9.co.uk/sbantammk4.htm
its £1695

This is the Bennington one, the basic cost for this one is £2009!! the only problem with this one is that to take be able to dismantle it you have to have the extra extending axle at £107
to have the basket for spares you have to pay extra as well at £65 so a total of about £2180 ish.

http://www.bennington.co.uk/carriages/Specs/buccaneer.htm

They look more or less the same, so what is the difference? Both of those prices are without delivery, and any extras like a waterproof cover or shaft stands etc.

I have driven in a Bennington, but not seen any Bellcrowns in the flesh. So what would you choose if you have seen or used both?

Thanks

[Wally]

I'd have either, I have driven both makes and there's little to choose between them.

[Esther.D]

ditto ;) I too have driven both and I would aspire to either, unfortunately budget doesn't stretch to even the Bellcrown :(

[JaniceH]

Well I dont have the money for a Bennington at the moment :rolleyes: but seeing as that I am not going to be buying a big horse, or the lovely saddle that I had dilligently been saving for, and as Driving will be the only thing I do, I felt that I should try and make sure that I had looked into the options. I didnt want to pay out hundreds more for a Bennington if it was going to be roughly the same as a Bellcrown. There are lots of second hand Benningtons on the market, but I need them to already have the add-on of the extendable wheels to be able to dismantle the carriage and most of them dont. I have to be able to dismantle the carriage as I have to borrow a trailer to go anywhere, and it has to fit in a one horse section.

I might try ringing Bellcrown to see if he can put me in touch with anyone that has one reasonably near.

Thanks Wally and Esther D. I wish I could come and see your driving ponies :D

[Esther.D]

Have you seen this on carriage link Janice? http://www.carriagelink.com/
it is no. V2011, a shetland Bellcrown, maybe a little small? But fully dismantable...

[Esther.D]

or no. V2040
a Bennington Buccaneer, nice but I don;t know whether it dismantles....


or this one....VS874....does dismantle totally....

from my experience they are very helpful at Bellcrown, so give them a ring:)

[JaniceH]

Thats the type Esther, all models in the Bellcrown range are completely dismantable. I have got Carriage Link as one of my favourites just to keep an eye on whats about, but that is the model I have been looking at. I dont want to get the carriage before the pony as knowing my luck I will be either buy too big or too small!

[Esther.D]

You are very wise Janice, its always better to buy the pony first...you never know you may set out looking for a 10-11hh and end up with a 14.2hh who is ideal :D

[Esther.D]

I always trawl carriage-link too, I bought a set of Tedman harness of it last week for Bobby as although he is the same height as the others he is far too small for their harnesses :rolleyes: