Dylan — Horeb Brenin Aur

Welsh Section D Gelding | 27 years young | 14hh

Dylan has been part of Gemma’s life since he was just six months old—so it’s fair to say they know one another rather well!

This incredibly talented Welsh gentleman has enjoyed a wonderfully varied career. In carriage driving, he competed up to Advanced Pony Pairs and Open Pony level and was also part of the GB Para Squad. Under saddle, he turned his hoof to both jumping and dressage, competing at Novice BSJA and Elementary British Dressage.

Now 27 years young, Dylan is the wise and wonderfully experienced elder statesman of our equine family. He has an impressive CV, a lifetime of stories and all the character you would expect from a Welsh Section D!

He may be 14hh, but his achievements—and his personality—are considerably bigger. 💙

Shrek — Bransby Shrek

Dartmoor Hill Pony | 17 years young | 10.2hh on his tiptoes!

Shrek joined us from Bransby Horses Rescue in September 2024 and quickly proved that talent, determination and personality certainly aren’t measured in hands!

With Gemma holding the reins, this pocket-sized superstar qualified for the Indoor Driving Championships in both 2025 and 2026. He also competed with the NEDTL at Frickley Park, where he finished a fantastic second place, driven by Janine Wilson with Jade Markham as Groom and Navigator.

Shrek may have little legs, but they move very quickly—and he approaches his work with the confidence of a pony at least twice his size! He has become such a favourite that we may genuinely have to draw straws before the next competition because everybody wants the honour of driving him.

Small pony. Huge character. Very long waiting list! 💙

Miss Molly

Shetland × Dartmoor Mare | 27 years young | Piebald

Miss Molly joined our family when she was 17 years old. She begrudgingly worked in the riding school for a while—but being ridden was never really part of her career plan!

Then she discovered carriage driving, and everything changed.

Put Molly in front of a carriage and she becomes an absolute superstar. With her calm confidence and wonderful approach to her work, she has introduced even the most nervous drivers to the excitement of both indoor and outdoor driving trials.

This remarkably versatile little mare has driven as a single, a pair, a tandem and as part of a pony team. In harness, there is very little Miss Molly won’t have a go at—and she always seems to know when her driver needs a little extra reassurance.

She may have strong opinions about being ridden, but give her a carriage and Miss Molly is ready for anything! 💙

Ferdy — Skelton Ferdinand

Hackney Gelding | 19 years young | 15hh

Ferdy joined us at 11 years old after competing at Private Driving shows. Although Hackneys are famous for commanding attention, Ferdy isn’t a natural show-off—he is much more of a gentle, loving introvert who prefers to build his confidence quietly.

With patient training and plenty of encouragement, Ferdy has really begun to enjoy his work within the club. Alongside Dylan, he provides elegant transport for weddings and special occasions as part of a beautifully matched pair. As singles, both Ferdy and Dylan also pull our accessible carriage when a wheelchair is being used, bringing the impeccable manners, patience and reliability this important role requires.

Ferdy or Dylan will often be the first equine a new client meets, as they work with Gemma during our introductory sessions.

As his confidence has grown, Ferdy has successfully competed at indoor qualifying events. We felt the championship atmosphere might be a little overwhelming for him this year, so Shrek represented the team instead. Ferdy then completed his first outdoor event with the Poachers Harness Club, approaching it with a fantastic attitude and having plenty of fun along the way.

His action might not be quite expressive enough for the traditional show ring—but it is beautiful for driving trials and brings a wonderful touch of historic Hackney class to the yard.

Quietly handsome, endlessly kind and increasingly brave—that’s our Ferdy. 💙

Toby & Bunnie — Our Multiple-Driving Superstars

Together, Toby and Bunnie give our club members the wonderful opportunity to experience driving multiples—including pairs, tandems and pony teams.

Bunnie — Easter Bunnie

Welsh Section B Mare | 26 years young | 13hh | Chestnut

Bunnie came to us from a showjumping family whose children had outgrown her. She became a brilliant lead-rein pony in the riding school, but carriage driving soon revealed itself to be her true forte.

She is a little worried about having shafts beside her, so she doesn’t drive as a single pony—but introduce her to a driving partner and she is absolutely in her element. Bunnie partners other ponies beautifully, always works hard and takes her responsibilities very seriously.

She has driven as the nearside pony in pairs, at the front of a tandem and as the leader of Gemma’s pony team, which competed successfully at club level.

Reliable, versatile and always ready to do her share—Bunnie is the ultimate team player.

Toby — Mr Tobias

Welsh Part-Bred Gelding | 15 years old | 13hh | Liver Chestnut

Toby came to us in rather bizarre circumstances! Around 2012, we visited a yard to collect one pony for Gemma’s team. Toby wandered over to investigate and, despite apparently being notoriously difficult to catch, his owner said, “If you can catch him, you can take him.”

So we did—and Toby came home too!

He is completely adorable and, although Gemma insists they are all her favourites, she admits to having an especially soft spot for Mr Tobias.

Like Bunnie, Toby is worried by shafts and doesn’t drive as a single. However, he will happily work as part of a pair, lead a tandem or take any position within a pony team. He is an excellent worker who always tries his very best.

The Welsh part of Toby occasionally inspires some rather magnificent fire-breathing-dragon tendencies if he isn’t driven sympathetically. Toby himself believes he is perfect in every possible way—and Gemma is inclined to agree.

Together, Toby and Bunnie prove that teamwork makes the dream work… especially when the dream involves considerably more reins! 💙

Beth — Clumber Bethany

Welsh Section A Mare | 19 years old | 10.1hh | Grey

Beth came to Gemma at 11 years old from a stud and showing yard whose owners had devoted their lives to returning the beautiful Clumber Welsh Section A ponies to Clumber Park in Worksop.

Before the stud owner sadly passed away, he asked Gemma—because of her experience with Welsh ponies—to take responsibility for his eight much-loved ponies. Gemma honoured his wishes, finding wonderful new homes for seven of them. Beth showed the greatest aptitude for carriage driving, so she stayed within the family.

Karen Halbert, one of our Directors, then had the enormous pleasure of owning and driving Beth until her own disabilities prevented her from continuing with carriage driving. We are incredibly pleased that Beth has now returned to Gemma and can once again share her talents with our club.

Beth is wonderfully versatile and can drive as a single, pair, tandem or as part of a pony team. She is a tremendous little grafter who can be rather excited when she first sets off—but once she settles into her work, she drives beautifully.

With her stunning brown eyes and magnificent flowing mane and tail, Beth has earned the affectionate nickname “Barbie.” Don’t be fooled by the glamorous appearance, though—this Barbie comes with serious horsepower!

Beautiful, talented and always ready to work, Beth is a very special link to the legacy of the Clumber ponies. 💙

Lucy — Bransby Rhubarb

Fell-Type Mare | 11 years old | 11hh | Black

Lucy is the baby of our club—and she certainly knows how to charm everyone around her!

She joined us from a local riding school in 2025. Although she had previously been driven, she hadn’t done any carriage driving for some time. Having originally come through Bransby Horses Rescue, we knew that some of her earlier experiences with people might not have been positive.

It took Lucy a little while to feel comfortable with her new surroundings and daily routine, so we gave her all the patience, time and reassurance she needed. Luckily, Jade, one of our staff members, and Eve, a club member, both took a particular shine to her. Their extra care and attention helped Lucy develop her confidence and learn to trust the people around her.

Then we introduced her to carriage driving—and discovered that she ABSOLUTELY loves it!

Lucy has been a complete delight to train. She is now happily driven by every member of our carriage-driving team, as well as clients taking part in our social-prescribing sessions. We couldn’t be prouder of how far this clever little mare has come.

Her next big challenge will be learning to load and travel confidently in the horsebox. When she arrived from the riding school, she had to be sedated for the journey. That won’t be practical if she is to fulfil her potential and compete in the future, so we’ll be approaching this next stage with the same patience and kindness that have brought her this far.

The baby of the club is growing up—watch this space! 💙