February 2013 £4.50 www.carriage-.com

Dedicated to sport and recreation with the harness

The Brush up on your in the driving skills at spotlight Bennington

Box clever: Know the rules CARRIAGE DRIVING TRAINING CARRIAGE DRIVING TRAINING

interested, including just recently their local BHS group. “It’s very much about getting people Fact File: Sue Mart on the carriage and driving,” Sue says. “Getting bums on seats is the one way in which we can ue Mart’s first foray into the driving the advanced single pony class. Achieve your driving introduce the sport and broaden the interest to world was as a groom for her father, Her many wins have seen her compete all people.” Sand founder of Bennington Carriages, in Team GB in 2009 in the FEI World As testament to their teaching success, the Michael Mart, in his early days of scurry Combined Pony Championships in Greven- recent Driving Back to Sport initiative saw driving, long distance driving and horse Bockholt, Germany, being the top placed 27 prospective carriage drivers undertake a driving trials and it is in horse driving trials British driver when the results were posted. series of lessons at Bennington and of these that Sue has excelled. Her first pony came Sue’s competitive ambition is to be dreams with Bennington at the age of 13 and she has had some selected for Team GB to compete in the FEI over half now have their own turnouts and are actively driving. The initiative didn’t just involve ‘fabulous ’ since then who have taken World Pony Championships in Pau, France, Bennington Carriages offers you more than just the chance to buy a new carriage. With a top class driving, but covered all aspects of the carriage her through the ranks to now compete in in November this year. trainer on in the form of Sue Mart, who is a qualified Level 3 UKcc coach, whether your desire driving world. “We had the Bennington group stewarding at Sandringham last year,” Sue is to drive a Shire or a you will soon find yourself driving the dream recalls. “The technical director, Philip Bateman, took them around the marathon and gave them Have a go at carriage driving f you were to ask most carriage driving pleasure to competition. Using the extensive Your video diary will also serve as a record a talk to get them all involved. This year some people what they immediately thought range of purpose-built driving facilities that the of your journey, allowing you to look back and of them are going to Royal Windsor and we’re he Bennington Carriage Driving course, driving. The centre’s extensive of if you said the name Bennington, they centre has to offer, Sue will work closely with see how far you’ve developed. “Self-analysis is a having a group reunion in spring. Academy will be holding a series facilities and indoor arena also allow them would say ‘carriages’. But Bennington you to understand your requirements and tailor very good tool. I don’t try and nanny people, we “We’re going to invite people to bring their T of taster sessions that will provide to hold the events even if the weather is ICarriages is more than just a first class either individual or a series of sessions to ensure structure a lesson in such a way that the client own turnouts to have some fun. We’ll be able a unique opportunity to experience the inclement. Each session costs only £20 carriage manufacturer. At their base in Long you realise your carriage driving goals. learns for themselves. It’s the best way to learn,” to see how they’ve all got on and to further equestrian sport of carriage driving. per person. Bennington, Nottinghamshire, they offer a says Sue. develop their skills,” she adds. This new initiative has been designed The dates for these fun filled complete all-round service. From teaching you Learning for yourself to provide real, hands-on experience sessions are: how to drive, schooling your horse to harness, So what can you expect if you want to learn Get involved Comprehensive approach proving how easy it is to get involved and • Saturday, February 23 and advancing your carriage driving skills, to drive at Bennington? “We will sit down Bennington are always keen for people to be New this year to the academy is horse trainer, of course, how much fun can be had. • Saturday, March 30 to providing you with the suitable carriage first and look at your strengths and any prior involved and with this in mind they have a David Veasey who offers the prospective Aimed at the novice, you don’t need Each day will have two sessions: to take you on your carriage driving journey, knowledge you have, identify any weaknesses series of ‘Try Driving’ sessions planned for harness horse owner complete breaking to to have previous carriage driving or riding • Morning session: 10am–12pm Bennington Carriages can help you along the and look to where you want to be in three early this year and they have been heavily harness and re-schooling facilities. experience to participate. Afternoon Session: 1.30p –3.30 pm road to achieving your dreams. months,” explains Sue. “Then we will set out a involved in the BHDTA ‘Driving Back to Each session will last for two hours At the Bennington Carriage Driving series of structured sessions to help you achieve Sport’ programme, which aimed to introduce Main image: A drive out from the centre and cover a range of carriage driving To book, please telephone or email, Academy Sue Mart, who is a qualified UKcc your long term plans.” newcomers to the sport of driving. Sue and her Above right: Sue Mart takes a prospective driver fundamentals, including long reining, stating which date and whether you Level 3 coach, offers tailor made one-to-one Your lessons with Sue will be videoed and team are also keen to introduce other equine through their paces on the field harnessing up, examining different types would like to take part in the morning or tuition, suitable for all levels and disciplines of downloaded onto a CD which you can keep, so bodies to the sport and can be seen giving Top below: Tackling the water splash of carriage and their purpose, and of afternoon session. driving - from novice to advanced and from that you can evaluate your progress. demonstrations to any groups who might be with gusto

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“David is really good; he builds up a quiet ability, from a gentle amble to competition.” rapport with the horse and is very much into The comprehensive approach is one he Bennington Carriage Driving the old style of breaking methods. He helped Bennington prides itself on. Any problems you Academy has an extensive range me re-educate my new which have, either with your driving or with your T of purpose-built driving facilities had some ‘issues’, says Sue. She continues: “He harness horse can be solved. Sue has a bevy of to help develop and enhance the skills spent three weeks walking behind him with a contacts to put you on the right road, from a of any carriage driver. Set in 10 acres of tyre, taking him back to basics and he’s worked sports psychologist to encourage you or allay picturesque countryside, the academy is wonders; he’s very talented.” any fears, to an equine physiotherapist who can conveniently located and offers: Sue can offer a one-off lesson or a series offer your harness horse rehabilitation services • Outdoor dressage arena - of lessons and whether you want to do this – there are ways in which Sue and the team at 100m x 40m over a course of weeks or in a block can be Bennington can help. • Obstacle and water splash accommodated. “Anything a client wants to “Although my speciality is horse driving • Cones course do we can arrange”, says Sue. “There’s a super trials I’m keen to encourage any prospective • Indoor fibre-sand training area - hotel just down the road, where you can stay if driver,” emphasises Sue. “Our door is open to 47m x 13m you want or you can bring your own caravan if anyone who wants to drive. From newcomers to • Grass fitness track you’d prefer and we have excellent facilities here old hands, from Shetland to Shire, junior to the The academy offers ample hard- for you and your horse.” more mature driver. I enjoy nothing better than standing parking, tea, coffee and The academy has their own schoolmaster for seeing someone achieve their goals and driving kitchen facilities, toilets and wash down you to learn with, or you can bring your own in harmony together.” facilities for both carriages and . horse and turnout. Sue again: “We have a pool She finishes: “We pride ourselves in offering • For further information contact of horses and ponies we can call on if needs the best carriages and the best service and we Bennington Carriages on 01400 be and our own teaching , Dillon, who is a want to also offer the best coaching. It doesn’t 281280, email Sue Mart at Welsh Cross and is now 23 years-old, is super. matter what you want to do, so long as you’re [email protected] He has different modes, depending on your having fun.”

What the clients say

Totally inspired and sorry for keeping you in the “Thank you once again for the amazing time shop so long.” Hannah and I spent with you and Dylan last Suzanne Blagg, June 2011 Saturday. We both enjoyed it so much and are totally inspired to get on and drive our I had a thoroughly pony, who we are sure will have a great time! enjoyable time Thank you also for recommending “This is my second ‘Try Driving Day’ and the Reindeer pub, we had a lovely lunch each time it has got better. I have had a there. The people were really welcoming thoroughly enjoyable time. Everyone is very and friendly.” friendly and one is able to learn new things Jan and Hannah Mcllvennie, June 2011 in a non-threatening environment. I would recommend these days to beginners and I really really enjoyed it experienced drivers alike.” “Thank you very much for my driving lesson Anne McDondald, May 2011 yesterday, I really, really enjoyed it! Louise was very good and very patient with my A fantastic birthday present muddled hand. The pony was absolutely “Thank you so much for your time this wonderful and I’ve never gone so fast in a morning. My father thoroughly enjoyed carriage before so it really was fun. himself and is already talking about having P.S. I have to admit that I turn into a pony another go next year. We were both very mad teenager when at Bennington impressed with the centre and particularly and am quite in awe of all by your teaching skills, care and attention. I the beautiful carriages don’t think dad has ever enjoyed a birthday so please excuse me for present as much as this one.” being a too excited Bev Sutton, December 2011 First lesson “Thank you for a really enjoyable afternoon, I loved every minute of it, and will definitely be back for more.” Sue Markin, May 2012

Left: Anne Macdonald and Bennington Driving Academy’s much loved schoolmaster cob, Dillon. Above right: Sue Markin makes a splash on her first lesson. Below right: Bev Sutton’s father gets to grips with putting to with academy coach Sue Mart

32 Carriage Driving February 2013