Our first outdoor event of the season at Poachers Harness Club was one to remember—full of milestones, teamwork, and proud moments for both our drivers and equines.
It was a particularly special day for Sarah Barraclough, competing in her very first driving event. Supported by Jade Markham backstepping, and partnered with the ever-reliable Bransby Shrek—who has spent the past two years developing his training with us—they delivered an outstanding performance. The combination of preparation, trust, and teamwork truly paid off, and they won their class.
At the same event, I took Ferdy out for his inaugural outdoor driving trials, with Bradley Harris backstepping for me for the first time. We were both incredibly proud of our dressage scores, which reflected the work we’ve been putting in together.
The cones phase brought its own challenges. Ferdy, taking in the atmosphere and scenery, found it a little difficult to maintain straightness initially. However, as the course progressed, he settled and improved, showing great promise for the future. In contrast, Sarah and Shrek delivered a confident and composed round, with Shrek’s natural straightness and forward-thinking attitude really shining through.
The obstacles phase was thoroughly enjoyed by all—both human and equine alike. Sarah made the conscious decision to take things steadily, focusing on building her own confidence. Shrek proved to be a generous and willing partner, and aside from one enthusiastic canter moment (courtesy of my cheering!), they completed the course with calm, consistent trots.
This highlights something we strongly believe in: the importance of understanding not only your equine’s capabilities, but your own as a driver. Confidence, awareness, and partnership are key.
I was incredibly proud of Sarah, Jade, and Shrek—not only for their win, but for the way they worked together throughout the day. Their performance was recognised with an Elvis Approved Special Recognition Award, celebrating their fantastic achievement and partnership.
Ferdy approached the obstacles with steadiness and willingness. As a Hackney horse, when asked for more, he naturally increases impulsion and height in his stride rather than covering more ground efficiently. With this in mind, I made the decision to prioritise rhythm and relaxation, keeping him smooth and not over-excited.
Although we finished two minutes over the optimum time, this was a conscious choice. After each obstacle, I allowed Ferdy time to walk, stretch, and recover. Building his confidence outdoors is the priority at this stage. Pushing for time could have risked overwhelming him and undoing the confidence we have worked so hard to build during the indoor season.
A huge thank you to Jane Wilson for capturing the top two photographs.
