| Author | Message | ||
     Sioux Gardner Member Username: Siouxgardner Post Number: 24 Registered: 12-2010 |
I drive a 15.3hh to a 2 wheeler! we competed all winter in indoor, qualified for the nationals and have done 1 outdoor one day event. having said that I would upgrade to a 4 wheeler if finances allowed - we are compromised on turning and width. that said we have done OK, have great fun and all 3 of us (whip, groom and horse!) love it. we drive the superbly engineered Bennington Bucaneer competitor that allows us to safely navigate the obstacles, look smart and essentially for us, get horse and carriage in the trailer.  | ||
| Fiona Powell Member Username: Fionap Post Number: 355 Registered: 03-2007 |
Hi, Donna, do call Rene Schoop - he's a great source of information! You can take part in indoor driving events with a two-wheeler and your 15hh mare so long as you are accompanied by a groom on the carriage sitting beside or standing behind you. If you are a new competitor, I suggest that you have a go competing with your two-wheeler before you make any big decisions about buying another carriage. You can compete in dressage and cones with a two-wheeler outdoors. You might need to budget for changing the backband and possibly other parts of the harness too, depending on the type of shafts on the carriage you buy and how well it fits your current harness. Sometimes people buy a four-wheeler before they have driven in a competition and many find that their ideas of the best carriage for them changes after two or three events, I have observed. Take your time and talk to lots of people, have a go grooming if that's possible... it's a great way to learn. Ask the organiser of your local events about the suitability of your carriage, check its track width - from outside of one wheel to the outside of the other measured on the ground - the minimum width should be 125cms, but many indoor event organisers would let you take part in the club or even novice class if it's less than this! You don't need to turn up looking like the bee's knees - a clean, safe and well-fitted exercise cart is perfectly acceptable. Do your research - take a look at the photos online of single horses from Keysoe and from other events around the country and you will see common features, and decide what you like. I suggest that you go along to any local driving trials club event on foot this summer, tell the organiser you are coming and that you are interested in getting started. Lots of people drive both indoors and outdoors. As an organiser myself, I am grateful for a useful extra pair of hands to help (if you wanted to), or I'd introduce you to people who'd just started and some experienced drivers. You'd soon make friends and get to ask lots of questions. I always need a backstepper for dressage and cones so even that might be arranged in advance if the organiser knows you are keen and it's something you'd like to do. We are a very friendly lot, I am sure you will find! p.s. you can find photos of drivers at indoor and outdoor events at www.mikewatts.com, videos on YouTube, and also on other photographers' sites referenced on the forum at www.indoordriving.co.uk p.p.s. You have to have a safety assessment before you can take part in your first BC-affiliated indoor or outdoor club event. It's a good time to have a lesson and to ask questions. Find out more from your local club secretary - details on the BritishCarriagedriving site. | ||
| Rene Schoop Member Username: Rene Post Number: 205 Registered: 11-2010 |
If you phone me on 07850 385 499 i WOULD HELP YOU WITH ADVISE FREE OF CHARGE............LOOK AT MY WEBSITE: www.reneschoop.co.uk | ||
| Donna Daynes Member Username: Donnatellos Post Number: 4 Registered: 02-2015 |
I have a 15h driving mare I currently drive in a two wheel exercise cart. I would like to have a go at indoor carriage driving what type of carriage would I be best to start of with I have been looking at the four wheel type but am unsure as there are so many different ones plus I only have a limited budget. Any help or info would be great. |