Monmouthshire Carriage Driving

24/10/2026

22/10/2026

TIMES FOR SUNDAY

PLEASE ARRIVE AT 8.15 TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR PONY AS UNLOADED - YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR PONY ALL DAY UNTIL LOADED TO GO HOME

Hello Everyone.

What a great entry for our first event. Thank you for getting your entries in on time. Katy and I are looking forward to seeing you all.

Sunday's forecast looks a bit dodgy, so we'll do P&P in the morning at 5 minute intervals, then cones around the obstacles in the afternoon. Please make the most of the outdoor arena for warming up. There are a few sharing carriages and backsteppers - please ensure that you have enough help to have ponies ready and waiting for changeovers.

A few reminders to help the day run smoothly
please clean up after your pony.
no hay on the sides of lorries
park sensibly, there will be lots of us there - line up from nearest to the indoor trailer out to the driveway
be aware of other turnouts when loading and unloading carriages
keep an eye on times and who goes ahead of you
be ready at the right end of the arena when called - you'd be surprised how many drivers are as far away as they can be when they are called, despite being told they are next!
support the cafe
at the change over from P&P to cones etc, the more help the better. The same for packing away
Dogs on leads at all times
Have fun and enjoy yourself
Thank your stewards - they are doing this so you can have fun

Times as follows
9.00 1. Catherine
9.15 4. Lucy
9.30 7. Lewis
9.45 10. Neave
10.05 14. Amelia
10.10 15. Nancy
10.20 17. Winnie
10.35 20. Andrew

Cones and Obstacle groups as follows
Group 1 Catherine
Group 2 Lucy
Group 3 Lewis
Group 4 Neave,
Group 5 Amelia,Nancy,
Group 6Andrew

You will be called in, then drive your cones round. The clock will reset and you'll drive obstacles 1 & 2, then go out. The rest of the group will drive cones and 1 & 2, then you'll come back in to drive 3 & 4

Prize giving at the end on foot when everything has been put away.

Number bibs are in the green box at the bottom of the stairs. Please return them at the end of the event, ideally folded and in number order ready for next time

Talking of next time - due to other venues being restricted on dates our November event is on the 1st . Entries close on Monday. I am away for most of next week, so the earlier your entries are in the better.

Looking forward to seeing you all

21/10/2026

Raising an equestrian ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
Long before anyone knew Mila , before she joined any clubs or organisations.
As a baby she had a rocking horse nd a Shetland pony we would hold her on before she could sit up…
At 2 years old she rode ba****ck , helped clean stables and trim feet, at 3 she learned balance and rhythm vaulting, at 4 she watched kids at mounted games and ride ba****ck to gain balance and find her seat at trot , At 5 she drove solo and took the reins on major roads. At 6 she long reined ponies through obstacles and sat on unbroken ponies , at 7 she learned about lameness and did gymkhana games , showing in hand and ridden , at 8 she started driving courses and learning dressage tests , at 8 she started competing indoors , showing and qualified for Nationals in TREC and Young Drivers - She placed 4th at the nationals being the only Junior against adults!
At 9 she proudly ride out with friends and with me we had lovely canters through the woods where she kept up , she joined camps and won lots of cups and rosettes at 10 she decided not to compete as she was doing very well in Gymnastics.. this year, at 11 , she is coming back out to play …..
So … when you see me spoiling her now you know the work which has gone into her education- the hours of leading around roads , standing in arenas , , helping her, encouraging her , prepping ponies , cleaning everything , travelling miles and I won’t begin to count the £££ .. every single moment has filled me with delight , laughter , smiles and joy- even when she got tired and cried, when we were both freezing, soaking , exhausted or even boiling in the heat , the ups and downs , toddler tantrums , tween strops , attitude , temper, anxiety, frustration has all been part of our journey but the bond we have overrides every bad moment and those moments when it all goes right are what we do it all for 💞

20/10/2026

I have been asked to write an article about Teddy and the BUSTER AWARD for CARRIAGEDRIVING COMMENTATOR MAGAZINE you can subscribe to get all the latest driving related news and stories :

It’s that time of year where most people start to hibernate after a busy , hopefully successful - in whatever way that means to you, Summer season. For many equestrian enthusiasts this means it’s time to look forward to the Carriage Driving Awards dinner and dance. This includes, not just Carriage drivers, but also coaches, organisers, stewards , grooms, backsteppers, friends, family and equestrian professionals from each corner of our green and pleasant lands. All coming together to appreciate each other and enjoy our common interest.

It is at this wonderful event that in 2025 Teddy our little homebred 12hh traditional cob won a most prestigious award - THE BUSTER AWARD.
An award honouring and carrying the name of a phenomenal pony who contributed so much to the Carriagedriving community. In his honour, each year, this award is presented to a pony nominated and then selected by a committee based on an exceptional contribution to our sport of Carriagedriving. A pony who is not necessarily recognised as being ‘a winner’ but is recognisable by his Constance and regular appearance. A stoic regular who encourages, gives confidence and simply just gets on with the job.

Since winning the award in 2025 , Teddy hasn’t ’been out’ much he hasn’t ’been seen’ by all those top names everyone hears in the arenas. So where has he been?

Teddy has been doing what he does best.. teaching with patience, at only 7 years old his wise old head has guided, forwards in the sport, many more newcomers during the year. Six days a week Teddy is at Monmouthshire Carriagedriving thanklessly doing his job , getting learners through basic assessments, standing patiently while they learn to fit harness and carriage then mount. Plodding down roads safely looking for traffic and supporting himself , when his driver is looking at how everything works on hills and doesn’t have that sought after connection to support him- yet!
Teddy is the lifeblood of grassroots driving not for awards but because he is just made for it.
He did attend training at the Unicorn Centre with his new Para Driver Winnie, surprisingly he was instantly recognised as being that pony who won the award.
He attended Midlands ICD last week with 2 newcomers attending their first event , foot perfect he was clear in both cones rounds with Jemma and Lyn and then had a super extra comment from the judge, slipped on the bottom of his well driven score sheet. something about a lovely rhythm- these ladies haven’t yet learnt about the scales of training, but Teddy is teaching them ' Rhythm ' without them even realising.
Obstacles was a success story even though these ladies had never done a full obstacle course before. No elimination was the goal - they smashed it!
Next Sunday Teddy is taking two more newcomers to their first event in Strecholt , and throughout the winter he is fully booked most Sundays to attend ICD events and training events at various locations, two new people each week, the youngest are 8, 9, 11 & 14 - the oldest well I won't say but they certainly don't pay for a bus pass! People with varying needs, disabilities and abilities who are aiming to progress their skills over the winter season. Not looking for rosettes or trophies, Teddy is just slowly feeding confidence little by little to encourage newcomers onto the first rung of the ladder.
This season he is also mentoring 2 younger ponies, who are following in his footsteps- Sassy and Little Warrior who are also homebred and trained , now working with newcomers daily.

I’m not a social butterfly, and dressing up for dinner isn’t my cup of tea - I’m at the yard , in my happy place, coaching , cleaning stables and filling haynets. On the weekend when you will all receive recognition; I will be working like Teddy in the background.
I am however extremely proud and grateful that my lovely stoic pony was chosen , appreciated and recognised by all of you for this well-deserved award last year. I was honestly shocked he was chosen! Thankyou Sally Edwards for being there in my absence to collect it.

We will be delighted for it to be handed to the most deserving pony in 2026! We wish you all a wonderful evening celebrating the sport we at Monmouthshire Carriage Driving are passionate about.
Top Tip - never underestimate a hairy cob!
Thanks for reading
Robin Rossiter
BRITISH CARRIAGEDRIVING COACH

Sent from Outlook for iOS

20/10/2026

Teddys Biggest Achievement in 2025
🏆🏆THE BUSTER AWARD 🏆🏆

NOMINATE YOUR FAVOURITE PONY FOR 2026

Make sure you say what that pony has done with and for you and others this year

19/10/2026

Contact is one of the hardest things in dressage to define, because it changes with every stride. Judge and trainer Gail Hoff-Carmona, PhD, breaks down what correct contact looks like from the ground and what it should feel like in the saddle, from hand position to the role of the half-halt when a horse gets heavy in the hand.

"The key to correct contact is to ride from your seat and leg, riding that small downward transition if the horse loses his balance, remaining seated using your core muscles and never pulling backward on the reins," she says.

Read the full article at the link in our comments.
📸AK Dragoo Photography