Carriage Driving

Carriage Driving is one of the most exciting and popular equestrian pursuits in the country.

WHY CARRIAGE DRIVING?

Carriage driving is a great way to get the whole family involved – as three or four of you can all go out for a drive. There’s a real camaraderie with driving – and most events are big family gatherings with a picnic after. Carriage driving is suitable for all types of horses, Rocky Mountain Horses easily adapt to working in harness.

Whether you fancy the thrill of horse trials or just want to potter around the countryside, this sport has something for everyone.

You might also get to drive at amazing venues not normally available to the public, e.g., Sandringham Estate in the UK. How often do get the opportunity to do that?

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CARRIAGE DRIVING?

There are many different ways to enjoy the sport of carriage driving, from the fast and furious, to the steady and sedate.

• Scurry driving – ponies dash around an arena through cones at break-neck speed.

• Horse trials – a bit like three-day eventing, as it has three phases: dressage, cross-country and cones.

• Private driving – this is showing, so involves a dressage display and the horse and carriage (and driver!) have to be super smart.

• Spider driving – orienteering in a carriage, this involves navigating your way from one point to another.

• Indoor driving – this is a great starting point for anyone thinking of competing in horse trials. It involves a short dressage test, a couple of obstacles you race around, and then a few cones – all in the safety of an indoor arena.

• Pleasure driving – you don’t have to compete to enjoy driving.