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Quality counts at Anslow

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 Quality counted at Midlands Carriagedriving’s second ODE at Anslow (Sunday 22 June) despite low entries. The event, once again put on by chairman Paul Hart, enjoyed a respite from the recent heatwave and proved once again, Anslow has something for everyone. In the Small Pony/Very Small Equine class, young driver Theo Charnley and his lovely coloured cob – who also compete in ridden dressage – put in an excellent performance to score best dressage of the day, ably assisted by Dad on the back of the carriage. Anslow regular Chris Ainscough brought out a new pony at its first event. Chris took things easy and the pony will have learnt much from its outing in the Novice Pony class which went to Michael Evans and his bay roan, having travelled all the way from Carmarthen to take part. Another regular, Linda Wiggin put her cones penalties down to driver error, her first of the year, in the Intermediate Pony class. However, it was a double clear in cones – and the only one of the day – f...
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A first for Midlands Carriagedriving and Bennington Carriages

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 Midlands Carriagedriving and Bennington Carriages came together in a new venture that resulted in a highly successful training day on Friday 16 May. Midlands chairman, Paul Hart, said: ‘There were eight sessions, with drivers and equines all at various stages of their training. This was the first collaboration between Midlands and Bennington Carriages, with everyone taking advantage of the host’s excellent facilities near Newark, Nottinghamshire, including afternoon tea in Bennington’s spacious showroom. ‘The day consisted of drivers working on any, or all three phases of competition. Some, like open driver Lesley Tilbury, driving twice with different animals or a different set up. Another trainee, novice pony driver Jocelyn Smith, really challenged herself by driving the cones at ever decreasing widths, with her final attempt being 5cm under the open class allowance and still making the time! ‘Whatever the reason for attending, everyone went away with some positive things to work...
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Sunshine all the way at Anslow

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 It was sunshine all the way at Anslow for Midlands Carriagedriving’s first ODE of the season on 11 May. From small ponies to horse pairs, all categories were catered for at this lovely venue with its panoramic views across the Derbyshire countryside. During the winter organiser Paul Hart had been hard at work, revamping and building new obstacles, which were well received. Twelve competitors took advantage of the opportunity to have a go at their first event, buff up some training or just get back into the swing of things. It was good to see Maryjane and Frank Campbell taking part with their pony and horse pair respectively and persuading them that the water splash really wasn’t as scary as they thought – though Frank’s pair did manage a hasty exit up the bank at the first attempt. Newcomers Matt Rees and Aaron Kelly both had good rounds in Novice Pony with Matt overtaking Aaron after dressage to take the class. Megan Wheeldon (Open Pony) and Jon White (Novice Horse) were the only...
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Midlands’ 2025 Season about to begin

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 The long-anticipated Midlands Carriagedriving outdoor events are about to begin! Starting the season will be the first of five One-Day Events at Anslow in Derbyshire . These popular competitions are open to all, even the smallest equine, and ideal for getting going, bringing on a novice animal – or driver – and refreshing the brain. Now with new and revamped obstacles, each ODE will be preceded on the Saturday by training days when the facilities will be open with the option to ‘have a play’ or bring your own trainer. Dates for the ODEs in 2025 will be Sunday’s 11 May, 22 June, 13 July, 17 August and 14 September. New for this year is a Training Day at Bennington Carriages , near Newark in Nottinghamshire, on Friday 16 May. Open from 2.00pm until 7.00pm, this is another opportunity to practice any or all three phases with assistance and/or feedback if requested. Pre-entry (£30) is required. The club’s Two-Day Event at Onley Grounds in Warwickshire is from 26 to 27 July and will h...
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Ten Midlands’ competitors vie for Championship honours

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 Ten Midlands Carriagedriving competitors travelled to Ashfields Carriage and Polo Club for the 2024 British Carriagedriving National Championships (13 – 15 September). While Peter Young (Pony Fours) was the only driver to take a National title, successfully defending his 2023 win, Peter Bennett (Advanced Horse Pair), Mary Fuller (Novice Horse) and Sue Mart (Open Horse) were all Reserve Champions. Megan Wheeldon repeated her performance of last year, pulling herself up from ninth after dressage in the very competitive Open Pony championship to complete in third place thanks to a superb double clear in the cones. Also achieving a double clear in cones was Sandra White in the Small Equine section. Karen Bassett was third in the Horse Fours, which produced an extremely tight contest at the top, Karen only missing out on the Reserve Championship when one of her team kicked off a ball in the first cone. Other Midlands’ drivers taking part were Sandra’s husband Jon, Rosemary Armstrong (b...
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Final fun ODE at Anslow

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  Bank Holiday Saturday (24 August) saw the last of this season’s Midlands Carriagedriving (MC) fun One-Day Events, held at Anslow in Derbyshire. Those who take part enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and the opportunity to educate and refresh ponies and horses in friendly competition, or just use the event for a practice run. Husband and wife, Jon and Sandra White, probably were the most competitive even though they were in separate classes as they do like to outdo one another. Jon, driving in the Novice Horse class, described his dressage as a bit of a ‘car crash’ so was delighted to score a double clear in the cones. Sandra, competing with her little Hackney in the Small Pony class added just 4.5 time penalties to her dressage score after cones. However, she did come out on top in the short marathon with the fastest times of the day, marginally beating Jon’s times so both went home happy. Jon White Sandra White Also in the Small Pony class were Fiona Clayton and Julie Barker, both hav...
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A brave decision equals happy drivers

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  A brave decision by organiser Paul Hart resulted in happy drivers at the recent Midlands Carriagedriving’s event at Anslow, Derbyshire (16 June). Originally scheduled as a One-Day Event, thanks to unending wet ground conditions, the informal competition morphed into a successful ‘PlayDay’.   Having battled the elements for several days plus heavy overnight rain, Paul stuck to his guns and gave the go ahead. Despite deep going in the dressage and cones arenas, those who made the most of the opportunity all emerged with smiling faces. Other than regular Anslow competitor Margaret Wharmby’s pony, all the equines were new to outdoor driving trials or, as in Joseph Adams’s case, in a new pairing.   Grateful thanks to Paul – who now has the task of repairing the ground! – and Ann Hart, who provided a wonderful lunch, as well as the judges and stewards who helped the day go ahead. There will be a final ODE at Anslow on Saturday 24 August.   Next up on the calendar i...
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