British Squad

FEI World Singles Championships

Le Pin au Haras (FRA)

30 August 2024

FEI Driving World Championship for Singles

Le Pin au Haras (FRA)

19-22 September 2024

 Carol Lumsden

Carol Lumsden (65) is based in East Lothian where she owns and runs Seacliff Stables, teaching people to ride and drive in the beautiful Scottish scenery.

She has been involved in the sport since 1976 when she won her first National Championship title before progressing to tandem with her late mother, Gladys Dale’s, Scole Welsh cobs.

Her horse, Craigielaw Brassie Flyer (or Percy when at home!), is by a Welsh Cob stallion from Scotland that her mother also used for the family stud. Carol has produced Percy from a young horse and in Carol’s own words, “he has the classic Welsh cob character with a heart of a lion.”

Although one of the most experienced of drivers in the Squad, this will be Carol’s debut performance at a World Championships.

Carol will be supported at Le Pin by her friend Rachel Caughey, who will backstep in the Dressage, as well as her Son-in-Law, Jamie March, who will be on the backstep for the Marathon and Cones.

Carol’s daughter, Rebecca March, her Husband, Richard Lumsden, and her friend, Yvonne Anderson, will also join Carol in Le Pin as ground crew.

And by far the most important in Carol’s eyes will be the support in France from her two granddaughters Zara and Bea March who will no doubt be cheering “Nanoo” on from the crowds.
 

 Harriet Bradford

Harriet (32) is a vet from Essex and is driving Chippendales Rock (Rocky), a 15.2hh, German Riding Pony.

Harriet is one of our most experienced squad members having competed at two previous Single Horse World Championships as well as Junior Europeans when she was a Young Driver.

Harriet’s support team consists of her parents, Tim Bradford, backstepping and Mum, Natalie Bradford as ground support. Harriet’s friend, Alysha Lane, will be backstepping on the Marathon.

There is also a much bigger team at home (Danni Claydon, Tori Simpson and Laura Cavill) who regularly backstep for Harreit at home and they are all equally fundamental in ensuring that Rocky is fit, trained and able to compete.

In addition to squad training, Harriet trains at home with Ben Martin and Kelly Houtappels.
 

 Mike Hodgson

Mike Hodgson (29) is a Chartered Accountant and Tax Advisor based in Cheshire. At this World Championships he will be driving his 10-year old, 15.2hh, KWPN gelding called Jax.

Mike learned to drive through the British Young Driver programme and has previously driven at three Junior European Championships where he achieved an individual bronze medal, a team bronze medal and two individual fourth-place finishes.

Mike has had a fantastic 2024 season and the highlight of his year was finishing on top of the podium at the prestigious Royal Windsor Horse Show.

Mike will be joined at Le Pin au Haras by his Mum, Louise Hodgson, who is an extremely important member of Mike’s team as she is not only Team Manager but also co-lorry driver, cook, groom, photographer and much more.

Alex Loveman will backstep for Mike in all three phases of the competition at Le Pin.
 

 Ian Bertram

Ian Bertram (73) from Uphall, West Lothian, will attend his 5th World Championships this year driving Gerbandy (also known as Ger), a 13-year old KWPN Gelding. Yes, that’s right – his 5th World Championships!

Ian has been competing now for at least 45 years and previously attended four World Championships with his previous horse, Hamewith Lonach.

He was part of the Gold Medal winning team in 2006 at the FEI Single Horse World Championships in Pratoni (ITA).

At the fine age of 73, Ian says that “age is not a barrier in carriage driving” and he hopes to continue driving competitively as long as he is able.

One of Ian’s strongest phases with Ger is in the Dressage however he can shift on the Marathon too!

Ian’s wife Catriona will be backstepping in all three phases; a tradition now as she’s been backstepping for Ian for over 21 years and has been to all four World Championships.

Ian wishes to thank all who have been involved in his journey to this World Championships, including his trainer Jan De Boer.
 

 Chris Ainscough

Chris Ainscough (36) is a driving coach and horse trainer based in Lancashire. Chris will be driving Anton, a 16 year old Arabo Friesan Stallion, owned by John Nisbet.

This will be Chris’ debut performance at a Single Horse World Championships, however this is not his first rodeo at a Championships as he was 21st at the Combined World Championships for Ponies in 2019 with a Single Pony.

Chris is very pleased with Anton’s step up to International competition this year and has worked hard at home and at competition to ensure he is prepared for the Championships.

He is extremely grateful to Anton’s owner, John Nisbet, for the opportunity to drive Anton at this level of competition.

Chris’ wife, Caz Ainscough, will backstep in all three phases at Le Pin au Haras and they will be supported on the ground by Chris’ trainer Abigail Rowland.

Chris would like to give a huge thank you to his wonderful sponsors: Baileys Horse Feeds, Bennington Carriages, Eve Cranston Veterinary Physiotherapy, Rowland’s Dairy and Northern Central
 

 Tara Wilkinson

Tara Wilkinson (27) looks forward to a successful World Championships with her 9-year old KWPN Gelding, Kadans.

This will be Tara’s debut performance competing horses at a World Championships, having previously been crowned the Pony Pair World Champion in Minden at the FEI Combined Pony World Championships in 2017 and a Junior European Bronze Medal before that.

Following this success, Tara has worked hard at home producing her own young horses and is extremely proud to now be able to represent Great Britain with her home produced horses.

Tara’s parents are her biggest supporters and her Mum and Dad, John and Leslee Wilkinson, will join Tara in Le Pin au Haras.

Tara’s Mum, Leslee, will backstep for the Dressage and Cones and her long time backstepper, Harvey Brown, will join her on the Marathon.

Tara is extremely grateful to her sponsors Equine Products, Equifit Physio, Corran Support Ltd and Optimal Homecare Services, for all of their support leading up to these Championships.
 

 Support team

To keep up to date with the Squad on approach and throughout the Championships, make sure you are following the “British Single Horse Carriage Driving Squad” Facebook page.

FEI Driving World Championship for Singles

Le Pin au Haras (FRA)

19-22 September 2024

  NOMINATED ENTRIES (PDF)