FEI Driving World Championship for Pairs

British Equestrian Driving Team

DRIVERS REPRESENTING GREAT BRITAIN

Libby Priest

Libby Priest, an Equine Dental technician and Level 3 UKCC Driving Coach, hails from the Isle of Man and has a series of impressive results already to her name.

She won the National Horse Pairs Championship in 2018 and 2019 and finished 14th in the World Horse Pairs Championships in Drebkau in 2019.

In the international event at Le Pin au Haras, the same venue where she is currently contesting the Horse Pairs World Championships, she won the international class in 2018 and finished 5th in 2019.

She won the international event at Sandringham in 2029 and was 3rd at Royal Windsor Horse show this year.

Libby started driving at the age of 13, with a Shetland pony, working up to a Horse pair. She currently drives three KWPN geldings, Acoord (aka Ace) at 18yo, Eenzaam Ann De Top (aka Ollie) at 14yo and Fiktor who is 13yo.

She says, “I have produced these horses from babies with the help of Peter Bennett. I enjoy producing young horses to this level. This is our 4th world championships.”

Michael Sloan, her partner, has backstepped for 6 years, since her dad retired from this role.

She says, “Michael has no previous horse experience before meeting me 10 years ago, but has taken to horses and loves being part of the team although we haven’t competed internationally for 3 years.”

Maria Hough is part of her support crew alongside Beth Turner- Priest, her niece, at this championship.

Libby says, “I met Maria at the 2005 World championships, when we groomed for different drivers and have been friends ever since.” Beth is 16 and a keen driver of her pony, Acorn.

Libby also enters her horses in ridden dressage with Fiktor competing at Advanced medium level.

Libby is supported by Emerald Green Feeds, Farmers Combine Ltd., Mannin Veterinary Physio and the Isle of Man Steam Packet.

Photo: Amy Mundell

You can keep up with Libby’s progress on Facebook at “Team Libby Priest Carriage Driving”.

Nicola Pimbblet-Quayle

Nicola Pimbblet-Quayle will be contesting the World Horse Pairs Championships in Le Pin au Haras with her three KWPN geldings: 17yo Brown Boy B (aka Danny), 11yo Harrard (aka Harrald) and 9yo Just Your Money (aka Jed).

Nicola, from the Isle of Man, is currently based and training at the Riant Equestrian Centre in The Netherlands, under the guidance of Claudio Famagalli and Mieke Van Tergouw.

She started competing with a single horse for many years including the Single Horse World Championships in Iszák in 2014. Having progressed to pairs, she competed as part of the team for the Horse Pairs World Championships in 2021 in Kronenberg.

She will compete with her friend Michelle Kenny on the carriage for all three phases of the event and has Harriet Bradford also supporting her.

Photo: Brigitte Gfeller

Diana, The Countess of Lindsay

Diana, The Countess of Lindsay from Fife

Horses: Three KWPN geldings: M. Coleman is 6yo, Malachy is 21yo and Niall is 16yo

Grooms: Caitlin Wood, Chelsea Sinclair and Morven Peebles.

Photo: Alain Martin

John Ripley

John Ripley from Kent started driving a single horse 10 years ago, driving a few different horses until he met Born Painted (aka Black) who John describes as, “the best single horse I’ve ever had.” He came from France nine years ago and will stay with John forever.

This pairing won the British National Championships for six consecutive years and Black will be the reserve horse for John’s pair.

John started driving pairs a season and half ago and says he was very lucky to find the two horses Iphone (aka Ike) and Ipad (aka Paddy), both 10 year old KWPN geldings.

John says, “they are a credit to the man who had them from three years of age as he produced them slowly to reach their full potential.”

For the dressage and cones, John has his partner Karen on the carriage while his groom Diane Phillips will contest the marathon with him.

John is supported by Thomas Truck Sales.

Sue Botley

Sue Botley from Kent

Horses: Two geldings: Goliath is 12yo KWPN and Roscourt Dream Lover is 10yo Hackney

Grooms: Husband Colin Botley and Gregor Knox

Photo: TT Photography

Chef d'Equipe - Minta Winn