GBPod Training - Plumtree Saturday 3rd May 

Robert Buck quote:

“PLUMTREE POD DONCASTER

Gemma Owens masterminds an impressive carriage enterprise here. Highly enthusiastic drivers with talent and determination on show.”

Gemma Owens Quote: 

“Within any sport, having the best support team is vital to development and success. I’m so thrilled and grateful to be training with Robert Buck and Julie Camm. Especially as we coach the same principles of training of equines and humans. This is hugely beneficial to our own carriage driving team, promoting correct training principles to the next generation of drivers. “ 

Robert Buck, the GB Para team Trainer / GBPod Trainer  and Julie Camm, the Chef, came to Plumtree to assess and monitor the development of Gemma Owens and her two equines, Trixies He’s The Nuts ( Trix ) and Horeb Brenin Aur ( Dylan ) as new members of the GB Para Squad. Which we are incredibly excited about being part of.

It has been a dream of Gemma’s,  since a small child, to represent her country. At 15yrs she was on the UK Youth and Ladies Sailing Squad. Now aged  51yrs Gemma is being part of the GB Para Squad. It’s never too late to put your passion into a sport, especially carriage driving, due to its inclusiveness of disability and age, to achieve your goals and dreams. 

Gemma has a huge commitment to training equines the correct way. To ensure that they are fit, healthy and keep their own mobility into their later ages. We think the proof to this process is shown throughout her horses in particular, Dylan. Now aged 26 years and going the best that he has his whole life. The youngest driving equine at the club is Shrek at 16yrs. It is fantastic that carriage driving horses can continue to compete into their older years, this has to be supported by correct training methods. 

We were privileged that both Robert Buck and Julie Camm were happy to combine their training / assessment of Gemma with  offering a coaching session to the members of. our club’s carriage driving team. 

QUOTES FROM THE TEAM 

 Julie Fox- McGowan ;  “Absolutely loved the GB POD training... Fun , energizing and educational.

A wonderful opportunity not to be missed 

Thank you so much”  ; 

Robert Buck; “ JULIE FOX MCGOWAN SUPPLED MOLLY UP WELL IN PRACTICE OF OBSTACLES. THIS ALLOWED ENERGY TO RISE AND FLOW DEVELOPED “ 

Isobel Crawford: 

Robert Buck:   “ ISOBEL CRAWFORD WAS DETERMINED TO ESTABLISH A STRONG RHYTHM IN FERDY. MAKING THE MOST OF DRIVING IN FULL SIZE ARENA AND GAINING EXPERIENCE OF PERSPECTIVE.” 

Gemma Owens;   “One of the challenges of training equines and humans is getting the balance right between setting the standard and objectives of the session to the abilities and goals of the team. Knowing when to push for more and knowing when you’re in danger of overwhelming and demoralising the team. My favourite saying that Robert has is when he tells me that I’m doing something that’s considered illegal. For me, it’s clarity that I REALLY need to focus to stop whatever habit I’ve acquired because it’s a really bad habit. However, at the same time, it isn’t yelling, shouting or ridiculing me for my mistake. It’s incredibly detrimental to progress , if you create fear of making a mistake. Some of the best lessons learnt are from mistakes. I’m looking forwards and I am fully committed to my role on the GB Para Squad, I thrive on a challenge and the prospect of being on the GB Team” 

Robert Buck;  GEMMA OWENS HAS ENDLESS EXPERIENCE AND TALENT IN DRIVING AND TRAINING OTHERS. HERE SHE BENDS TRIX THROUGH THE TURNS TO GOOD EFFECT.”

“DYLAN REALLY OFFERED SOME IMPRESSIVE QUALITIES IN THE OBSTACLES TODAY. GEMMA OWENS IS WELL PRACTICED FROM MOVING FROM ONE HORSE TO ANOTHER. REALLY POSITIVE DAYS TRAINING.”

Gemma Owens 

Poachers Harness Club - Eagle Moor one day event.

Sunday 27th March 2025  

The first of the outdoor driving trials events was with Poachers Harness club and a one day event. This includes a driven dressage test, a cones course of 20 cones and 4 obstacles. 

We believe that this club provides a fantastic opportunity for competitors new to carriage driving trials and competing outdoors. It is also great for more experienced drivers introducing a novice equine into this sport. Or, as part of a programme to develop the equines fitness for more demanding events coming up later in the year. 

There are more challenges at these events due to the nature of being outdoors and the many more distractions. Highlights at this venue are that it is an established equestrian centre, and that the whole venue is fenced in. This gives the drivers peace of mind in the event of any accidents equines are contained. 

For this event Janine made her debut driving Missy Molly, along with Liyah Keogh backstepping for the first time outdoors. . As an experienced, straightforwards pony Molly was an excellent equine partner for Janine. When competing for the first time in your driving career, I believe, it is  vital to trust your equine to be reliable to allow the driver to focus on the tasks in hand. It’s much more demanding if the equine misbehaves or you are pushed out of your comfort zone by the equine becoming over excited. 

Gemma Owens drove Trixies He’s The Nuts ( Trix ) for this event, with Charlotte Norcliffe backstepping outdoors for the first time. We shared Madison Norcliffe as our team groom, even at aged 10yrs and invaluable asset to our team. We have been selected to be part of the GB Para team squad and are focused on doing our very best to be selected for the team later in the year. 

This event was perfect for Charlotte to learn from, a quiet event without the pressure of being either a larger club event or a National competition. It was also used to assess the progress that Trix is making both with his suppleness and fitness. We were incredibly pleased with his performance throughout all 3 phases. 

Janine drove an incredibly beautiful dressage test that maintained rhythm, balance and impulsion. Molly showed herself off beautifully, such a proud pony, with high self esteem.

The cones course was a tough one, with 20 pairs of cones, with 40 balls on top that you can easily dislodge to obtain penalties. The time was a challenge too, especially if you drove wide to give more space. 

The marathon phase, including 4 obstacles drove really well. Most of the obstacles you could choose to drive on the same rein. This encouraged new drivers to maintain energy and look for circles and spaces to drive into. 

As a club ourselves, we are actively promoting the huge importance of the correct rhythm, impulsion and flow in obstacle driving. Yes the goal is to be the fastest, BUT, and this is a very big BUT, this must never be at the expense of the health and welfare of the equines. Commitment to correct training is essential to achieve this. There  is nothing more concerning than to watch an equine running away in the obstacles in fear. 

It is a huge challenge for the sport of carriage driving trials, to police the obstacles phase. As drivers are rewarded for the fastest times. Some drivers don’t fully appreciate the damage that they’re doing to their equine, especially if they go on to win the event. There are no immediate consequences to their poor driving, so, no inspiration or requirement to improve their driving. 

Within our club we are discussing ways to address this challenge, especially with drivers new to the sport. It’s an opportunity to bring about much needed change. One idea is to reward correct driving of the obstacle phase, therefore indirectly penalising poor driving. Another is to give minimum time for each obstacle, so penalties are given for driving too fast. There are many more ideas that we are considering. 

With both teams finishing second in their class,  both equines thoroughly enjoying themselves and all humans having the best day out. The event was an indisputable, undeniable SUCCESS !! 

Pictured above 

Janine Wilson driving Miss Molly, with Liyah Keogh backstepping finishing the event 2nd overall