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National Driving Trials - News & Reports 

Follow the Carriage Driving Community CIC team as we progress from local events to National Championships and beyond. This page shares competition results, training updates, horse and driver spotlights, behind-the-scenes stories, and the achievements of our competitors, volunteers, support team and equine partners.

As we continue our journey towards British Carriagedriving affiliation in 2027, this page celebrates the dedication, teamwork and determination that make competitive carriage driving possible.

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Certius Training week - Certius Championships 4th-9th August 

Certius Training Week & Championships 🐴🏆

Our next adventure took us to Certius, beginning with a full week of intensive training before heading straight into the Championships.

It was a tough week — physically, mentally and technically — with plenty of challenges, lots to process and some serious work for both horse and driver. But through it all, Trix kept trying, Bradley kept supporting, and we kept digging deep. Every session gave us something to learn and something to take into the competition.

Then came Championship weekend… and what a weekend it became! We won the dressage, drove a double clear in the cones, and went into the final phase right up at the sharp end of the competition.

Against some seriously quick obstacle combinations, we held our own and finished as Reserve Champion in the Para Class. 🥈💙

After such a demanding week, that result meant so much more than a rosette. It was a huge achievement for Gemma, Trix and Bradley, and a brilliant reminder that determination, teamwork and belief can carry you a very long way.

And, naturally, Elvis remained firmly in charge of morale throughout! 🐶😂
:::

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Glebe National Event 🐴🇬🇧

Next on our 2026 journey was Glebe National Event — another big weekend of competition, teamwork and learning for Carriage Driving Community.

National events always bring an extra level of challenge, and Glebe certainly gave us plenty to think about! With dressage, cones and the excitement of the marathon obstacles, it was a weekend that tested concentration, communication and resilience from both drivers and ponies.

There were highs, frustrations and a few unexpected moments along the way, but that is all part of competing at this level. Most importantly, our team kept supporting one another, our horses gave us their all, and we came away with more experience to take forward into the rest of the season.

Sometimes progress isn’t measured by a rosette — it’s measured by turning up, having another go and learning something every time you drive through the start flags. 💙

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Poachers Harness Club - Danethorpe

Next stop on our 2026 adventure was Poachers Harness Club at Danethorpe! 🐴💨

Another chance to put all those hours of training into practice, enjoy some friendly competition and, most importantly, spend the day doing what we love — carriage driving with a brilliant team around us.

Danethorpe brought plenty of concentration, determination, laughter and the usual mix of “we’ve got this!” and “whose idea was that route?!” moments. 😂 Every event gives both horses and drivers another little piece of confidence, experience and teamwork to take forward into the next challenge.

For Carriage Driving Community, days like this are about far more than results — they’re about progress, participation, friendship and proving just how much is possible. 💙🐴

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 Allerton National — 18–19 July 2026

Allerton National was another major step forward in our 2026 competition season, with Gemma, Trix and Bradley taking on a full National event in the Open Horse Single class.

The weekend brought plenty of challenge, learning and some really strong performances. Dressage proved tougher than hoped, but Gemma and Trix came back fighting in the cones, producing a confident round with just one ball down and finishing 12 seconds inside the time, moving them up into second place.

The obstacles brought another solid performance, with a score of 62 and only two penalties at one gate, showing just how much the partnership between Gemma and Trix continues to develop.

More importantly, Allerton became one of the qualifying results that helped secure Gemma, Bradley and Trix their place at the 2026 British Carriage Driving National Championships — a huge achievement while competing in an open class alongside able-bodied drivers.

For Carriage Driving Community, Allerton was about far more than results. It was another demonstration that with the right support, adaptations and determination, disability does not have to mean stepping away from competitive sport. 🐴💙

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Frickley - NEDTL Club Event - 13th -14th June 

Our team enjoyed a brilliant day of indoor carriage-driving action at the Frickley NEDTL event. Bradley Harris took the reins with Teddy, supported by Jade Markham as his navigator. Janine Wilson drove Shrek, with Jade Markham and Julie Fox-McGowan navigating, while Sarah Barraclough competed with Molly, supported by Julie Fox-McGowan. It was a fantastic team effort and a wonderful opportunity for our drivers, ponies and navigators to gain valuable competition experience together.

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🎉 EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT! 🎉

We are incredibly proud and excited to announce that Carriage Driving Community CIC will be sponsoring the Novice Pony Class at the Allerton National Driving Trials, taking place on 18th & 19th July and organised by North Eastern Driving Trials.

This sponsorship is particularly special to us as Allerton is our closest National Driving Trials event, making it a wonderful opportunity to support a prestigious competition right on our doorstep and give something back to the sport and community that has given us so much.

The Novice Pony Class perfectly reflects what we are all about. Every experienced driver started somewhere, and novice classes are where confidence is built, friendships are formed and future champions begin their journey. We are passionate about creating opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to access carriage driving, whether for recreation, wellbeing or competition.

Through coaching, social prescribing, volunteering and competition support, Carriage Driving Community CIC is committed to helping people and horses thrive together, and we are delighted to support the next generation of competitors at this fantastic event.

💙 If you’re attending Allerton on 18th or 19th July, please come and say hello! 💙

We would love to meet competitors, supporters, volunteers, officials and spectators. Keep an eye out for our new banner around the showground, stop for a chat and find out more about the work we do across South Yorkshire and beyond.

A huge thank you to North Eastern Driving Trials for all their hard work in organising the event. We are looking forward to a fantastic weekend of carriage driving and wish every competitor the very best of luck.

Changing Lives • Building Confidence • Creating Opportunities

🐾 Elvis Approved! 🐾

#CarriageDrivingCommunityCIC #AllertonNational #NationalDrivingTrials #NovicePony #NorthEasternDrivingTrials #CarriageDriving #SocialPrescribing #Inclusion #CompetitionPathway #CommunityDriven #HelpingPeopleAndHorsesThriveTogether #ElvisApproved #Allerton2026 🐴💙🏆

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Windsor National Championships 2026 – My Favourite National

There is something special about Windsor. The atmosphere, the venue, the sense of occasion and the opportunity to compete alongside some of the best drivers in the country make it a highlight of my competition calendar every year.

This year’s event was memorable for all the right reasons and a few unexpected challenges along the way.

Preparing for Competition

Before the competition even began, the team worked hard to ensure Trix looked his very best. Harness was polished, carriages prepared and final checks completed as we settled into life at Windsor. Elvis, naturally, took his role as Competition Support Dog very seriously, ensuring all preparations were supervised to an acceptable standard.

Dressage and Cones

The competition began positively. Trix produced a much more settled dressage test than he had previously, showing improved focus and relaxation in the arena. We achieved a score of 49.93, placing us second in the dressage phase at National level.

The mistakes within the test were mine rather than Trix’s, which is always encouraging as it means there is still plenty of room for improvement from the driver!

In the cones phase, Trix continued to perform brilliantly. We finished first in the cones with two cones down and two seconds over the optimum time.

One of the talking points of the course was the bridge obstacle. Although I was incredibly excited by the prospect of driving over it, protecting my neck and spine had to take priority. We chose the alternative route around the bridge and through a double obstacle instead. Whilst this should have cost significantly more time, Trix’s determination and efficiency meant the time loss was far less than expected.

Obstacles Day Challenges

Obstacle day brought a challenge none of us had planned for.

My power chair developed charging problems, leaving me without reliable mobility around the venue. As many carriage drivers know, success in the obstacle phase relies heavily on walking the course, studying routes and planning lines. Unable to do this myself, we had to adapt quickly.

Bradley stepped up magnificently, walking and filming the obstacles while I reviewed footage and studied the obstacle plans back at base camp. It was a perfect example of teamwork and problem-solving under pressure.

Meanwhile, Elvis recognised that although I appeared calm on the outside, the situation was causing stress behind the scenes. As only an experienced assistance dog can, he took it upon himself to provide intensive emotional support in the form of cuddles, companionship and close supervision.

Teamwork Matters

The power chair issue continued throughout the day and from Obstacle 5 onwards Bradley took on all obstacle walking and navigation duties. It was far from ideal, but it highlighted one of the strengths of our team – when challenges arise, we adapt and support one another.

We incurred a navigational error in Obstacle 6, resulting in 20 penalties, but most importantly we completed the marathon phase and avoided elimination.

The penalties dropped us down the leaderboard, but they did not diminish the achievement. This was a competition where teamwork, determination and resilience mattered more than placings.

Looking Forward

One of the biggest positives to come from Windsor was the introduction of my new cervical collar. It has already proven to be a game changer, providing improved support and helping me manage the demands of competition more effectively.

There is still plenty to work on and improve before the next event, but overall I left Windsor feeling proud of the entire team.

Trix performed brilliantly throughout the competition. Bradley demonstrated outstanding support and adaptability. Elvis maintained exceptionally high standards in his role as Competition Support Dog. And despite the challenges, we continued to learn, improve and enjoy doing what we love.

Windsor remains my favourite National Championship, and this year reminded me exactly why.

Final Thoughts

Competition is not always about winning. Sometimes it is about overcoming challenges, finding solutions, supporting one another and proving that barriers do not have to stop you from participating.

This Windsor was a perfect example of that.

Until next year, Windsor.

Above - Bradley & Trix - relaxation 

Never competing alone