FEI World Singles Championships 2020
Pau, France

Drivers representing Britain
3 October 2020


Team Selection

Despite the restrictions and lack of competitions, we congratulate those that stuck with the selection process and we are pleased to announce that the team travelling to the World Singles in Pau will be: Harriet Bradford and Grace Smith who were selected on points, and Lucy McGill as the third member chosen by the Selection and Ratification panel. Charlotte Chard will be the British individual representative.

See TEAM SELECTION TABLE ...

GRACE SMITH


Photo: Amy Mundell

Grace started driving at the age of 6 with her pony Pickle. She won several indoor championships, then progressed to the junior international team where she gained an individual bronze and a team gold. After this she moved onto a bigger pony that helped her gain an individual gold in cones.

Moving onto horses, she progressed successfully through the novice, intermediate and open horse classes. She is now competing in the advanced horse class with Milo, a 9 year old KWPN and is very excited to progress with him in the future.

CHARLOTTE CHARD


Photo: Robert Holgate

Charlotte started riding from an early age, with her roots firmly in the Dressage and eventing disciplines. She always fancied having a go at carriage driving, so signed herself up for the ‘Driving back to sport’ programme in 2012 at a local venue. Having quickly got the driving bug, she purchased a Welsh Section A pony to start her journey. Realising that more power was needed, she purchased Casper in 2015, a 15hh Sec D Cross who had only done Driven showing. But quickly finding his feet in Driving Trials, Charlotte and Casper progressed through the levels, becoming Outdoor Open Single Horse National Champion in 2018 at Cricklands and Indoor Open Horse Champion in 2018/19 at Keysoe.

Throughout her journey her groom/backstepper/husband has supported her all the way. Richard has worked with horses for the last 40 years as a farrier, but since Charlotte has taken up driving, has sparked his enthusiasm for the sport too. He is now driving the original Section A, who is training Richard the ‘Section A’ way! Richard is also the main fixer and mender of all things mechanical. Charlotte and Richard make a great team, along with Casper. Team work, makes the dream work.

LUCY McGILL


Photo: Alain Martin / PixelVisuel

I started driving nearly 20 years ago when I bought a pony for my children that had been driven; it seemed a shame to let the opportunity pass. I then progressed to a chestnut Section D mare that my daughter rode in pony club tetrathlon competitions after which I rode and drove Lipizzaners for several years.

I will be taking my 16 y.o. Gelderlander, Zaronno (“Cougar”) to Pau, who was driven by Nigel Chandler before I bought him in 2016. I’ve really enjoyed driving him at events in France and in Holland last year but due to COVID 19 restrictions sadly we have only managed to get to Le Pin this year. My main support team who will be travelling to Pau with me are my ever positive coach of many years, James Rooney and my long suffering husband of nearly 30 years, Nick who as well as backstepping is in charge of catering and fixing things.

I’m also supported at home by French event rider Gaspard Maksud and Personal Trainer Charlie Edwards who strives to keep us over 50s in one functional piece. I would also like to thank my employers, Chaucer Syndicates, for their support and forward-thinking adoption of “Better Ways Of Working” without which none of this would be possible.

HARRIET BRADFORD


Photo: Amy Mundell

Harriet Bradford (28) is a vet from Essex. This is my 2nd year in the single horse class having competed with ponies since I was 14. My previous British team performance was 10 years ago as a junior in Hungary.

I’m driving Chippendales Rock (Rocky) a 12yo German riding pony gelding to a Bennington presentation phaeton and a fenix flyer marathon carriage. Tim Bradford (father) will be grooming and backstepping for all phases and Natalie Bradford will be travelling as ground support.

 

OTHER EQUESTRIAN NEWS
 PREVIOUS PAGE   BC HOME 
MORE DRIVING NEWS