So, you want to start competing?Originally from an article by Jill Holah The step from pleasure driver to taking part in your first competition may seem huge but don't worry, help is at hand to ensure that it is not such an ordeal. This article assumes that you have already got a suitable horse/pony and some sound equipment. Depending upon where you live, the first step is to contact your local club and details can be found on the British Carriagedriving website with links to those clubs with their own sites. Most clubs cover a wide area, and their activities are not just restricted to the area in which their secretary lives, so it is worth a phone call to check. They should also be able to put you in touch with an experienced trainer in your area if required. You will be made very welcome at any of the club events, introduce yourself as a newcomer and you will quickly find that drivers are the friendliest bunch. Volunteers are always required and you can learn so much from helping to steward or even backstepping and then you will feel more confident about bringing along your own turnout. Most clubs have some form of assessment for newcomers to their events to ensure that everything is safe and well-fitting and this can be done pre-event at a training clinic or at home. If you wish you can sometimes be matched to a ‘buddy’ who will guide you through your first couple of competitions. Some Club events are run all in one day, others run over two, usually with Dressage and Cones on the first day and Marathon on the second. Stabling is rarely provided at club events however it is possible to camp and many venues allow overnight corralling with electric fencing. There is sometimes a social get together or a bar-b-q so a great opportunity to make new friends. British Carriagedriving Rules have recently been simplified and can be found on-line along with the Dressage Tests for each level. Most clubs run classes for Novices, Small Ponies and even VSEs (Very Small Equines) with many outgrown family ponies enjoying a second career. The Gateway classes were introduced specifically for those first venturing into competition and now have their own Championships at the end of the season. Dressage is the first phase and the dress code for the driver is smart and safe with hat, gloves, apron and whip, with the backstepper/groom also requiring a hat and gloves. There is a mark for General Impression so it pays to look smart however the mark also includes cleanliness, suitability, harmony and many other things that make up the Big Picture so don’t get too hung up on it. The Gateway Classes have a set of BC Rules (on the BC Website) that need to be adhered to as they have a BC Championship, however the test is just simple shapes. In the Novice test the movements are not too demanding, everything is aimed at encouraging you to learn at a steady pace. The Cones competition comes next with the same dress code as dressage however hard hats are required for this phase now. Carriages are required to be a minimum width depending upon the class. The width for both horse and pony singles is 138cm and carriages wheels have to be set to give this standard width. However, your club's rules may differ and it may be possible to compete with a narrower vehicle with prior notification, so it is very important to check with the secretary. The cones course will be made up of various combinations of cones and balls up to a maximum of 20 obstacles including slaloms, oxers and some narrow pairs. The Novice Club Marathon is likely to be over two sections (although some clubs run Section B only) with a maximum length of about 15Km depending on the venue. Full details of the competition are given in the rule book. If you feel you are not quite ready for this bit you can usually opt to just do the dressage and cones. You will need hard hats and body protectors in order to compete in the marathon phase. The other vital piece of equipment is a stopwatch (or two!) so you can keep an eye on your times. Try and walk your obstacles a few times to learn your routes and how you might approach and leave them – there will be lots of markers to guide you along the route. Never be too proud to ask for help and advice, we are a friendly lot in the driving world and only too willing to assist! Often carriages and harness are sold within the club community and there are always items for sale on the website as well as on Facebook page at British Carriagedriving Chit Chat. Don’t forget to follow the BC official Facebook page. Rest assured that once you have taken the plunge and competed in your first event, there will be no stopping you!
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