FEI Para Driving World Championship

Exloo (NED) 23-27 August 2023

British Equestrian Driving

DRIVERS REPRESENTING GREAT BRITAIN

Update: 23 August 2023

Following the first horse inspection, at which all five para drivers had their horses and ponies passed as fit to compete, the team has been announced as: Mick Ward, Deborah Daniel and Emily Ham.

Representing Britain as individuals are Tracey Spencer and Jayne McGarvie.

We wish them all the very best of luck.

Driver Bios

Tracey Spencer

Tracey Spencer, from East Sussex, will be competing in her first international event at the FEI Para Driving World Championship in Exloo in the Grade 1 category.

En route to her selection, Tracey has won the Astor of Hever Trophy presented by Princess Anne, 3 times riding three different horses and has many successes in Para Dressage, winning many of the Grade 1 competitions entered.

She was first at the Windsor Park Regional Competition this year.

Tracey says, “I was born with my feet facing the wrong way. I started riding with the RDA from the age of 4 as therapy in between many operations to correct my feet.

I progressed to Para Dressage Riding getting to the last 14 (out of 100 + riders) and I started driving 10 years ago, firstly with the RDA.

I bought my first pony to help a friend who needed money to put as a deposit for a house and have never looked back.”

Tracey progressed to Club, Regional and National level competitions.

She says, “My goal has always been to represent Great Britain and after 10 years my dream has come true.”

Tracey drives Cadfach Gentleman Jim (aka Bill), a 12 year old Welsh Section C gelding.

Tracey has support from Saltdean Rottingdean Lions Club Badgers Oak Stud.

You can find Tracey on Facebook - CLICK HERE >>

Mick Ward

Mick Ward has a wealth of international driving experience as a Grade 2 para driver, having already competed in the Kronenberg Para World Championships in 2018, where he won Team Bronze.

At the Sandringham Para World Championships in 2014 he achieved Individual Bronze and at the 2012 Para World Championships in Breda again with a Team Bronze medal.

After having an accident in 2005, Mick says, “I started carriage driving in 2006/2007 as therapy in between operations. I started with the Leicestershire RDA Group Springbridge Carriage Driving Group, under the watchful eyes of Linda Cottral and Jane Stretton.

In 2010 Linda and Jane took me to meet the Para driving squad at a training session at the Unicorn Centre, Stow. After having a go on a loaned pony, I thought this is the way forward and purchased my first competition pony Toby, a 14.2 full up sec D.”

He started competing in 2011 with his daughter on the carriage for marathons and his wife, Maria, for dressage and cones. After a couple of seasons Maria started to do all 3 phases.

At the championships Mick will have Maria for dressage and cones while his friend Trish Jones will be backstepping for the marathon.

Mick is currently driving a 17 year old gelding, Welsh Hackney Douglas, and has a Welsh section C as a back up, who belongs to Mr Andrew and Rachel Masters.

Mick is supported by ANNA CHOMA Acey Veterinary Physiotherapy, Glyn Trundle Equity Shoeing and the GB POD Training Group.

Photo: Kingswood Associates

Jayne McGarvie

Jayne McGarvie will be contesting her first World Championships in Exloo.

She started Carriage driving in 2015 with the RDA after a car accident which resulted in a stroke. She progressed to para carriage driving Grade 2 in 2022, with help from groom / backstepper Fiona Smith and the GB POD Training Group.

Jayne says, “I have always been interested in all Equestrian Sports, but following the accident I have found more enjoyment from Carriage Driving.

When my pony needed a break I was very grateful to be offered Julie Camm’s pony Pandora’s Diplomat, a 17 year old Welsh Section D gelding.

I am so pleased to have Lucy Scott backstepping before she goes on to Oirschot to compete at the Combined Pony World Championships next week”.

Jayne has previously competed in the RDA National Championships in 2018 and 2019 with her own pony Scrumpy Jack and this year competed at Hopetoun and Sandringham Driving Trials.

Jayne is supported by the GB Pod Training Group and you can follow her journey on Facebook - CLICK HERE >>

Deborah Daniel

Deborah from Shropshire, is contesting the Grade 1 class at the forthcoming FEI Para Driving World Championships in Exloo (NED). She drives one of Averina Snow’s ponies, Capitola Mr. Houdini (aka “H”), a 19 year old Welsh Section C gelding, and has Holly Dormer on her carriage for all three phases of the competition.

Deborah and Holly are great friends. Holly has been Deborah’s groom for approximately 18 years and Deborah has never competed without her.

Deborah started driving with the RDA approximately 18 years ago and started competing in driving trials in 2009. The pair took part in their first World Championships in Breda in 2010.

Deborah had not driven before she became a paraplegic and took up driving after being a volunteer at a demo at the RDA National Championships.

She has been training for the past 5 years with Robert Buck, always aiming towards a World Championships. She is a member of the GB POD Training Group which is as much fun as it is beneficial, being a community of driving enthusiasts.

In October of 2019, Averina Snow, the owner of "H", decided she would like to somehow help the Para Drivers of Great Britain. She kindly offered the loan of "H" to Deborah to train for the next World Championships.

Unfortunately, in 2020 Covid broke out, however, thanks to the committed, continued support by Averina, Deborah and "H" are now realising their dream of competing together at a World Championships.

Averina herself will continue on with "H" and her other ponies to Oirschot to compete for Great Britain in the pairs class, at the forthcoming Pony World Championships.

Deborah’s previous international experience includes 2016 Individual Bronze Medal and Team Bronze at Beesd Para Driving World Championships.

Last year she finished Reserve Open Pony Champion at the British Carriagedriving National Championships and has been competing at Advanced Single Pony this year.

She has completed 5 Para World Championships, and is hoping to complete her 6th at Exloo and attain her FEI Gold Badge of honour.

Deborah receives support from Edgemere Ltd, Euro Vet Physio, CG Sports Therapy and Leg Up for Talent.

To keep up to date with how she and Holly are progressing, go to her Facebook page - CLICK HERE >>.

Photo: Sara Jane Hayes

Emily Ham

Emily Ham (32) started driving with a Shetland pony at 10 years old, after a tourist carriage drive in York. She progressed through the British Young Drivers with her lovely Welsh ponies, singles and pairs, and represented Wales and Great Britain on 5 occasions with her Section C stallion Crossfield Glory.

She partnered up with Beechwood Bracken (aka Alfie) her 22 year old Welsh Section D in 2011. Together they have been successful and she is very excited to have this opportunity to compete him abroad, and to take part for the first time on a senior quad herself.

Her dad ‘Hammy’ Ham has been her loyal support crew throughout her driving career from photographer to horse box driver, sponsor and pony holder.

Kind driving friends have volunteered to backstep and she is very grateful for the support of GB POD Training Group.

Emily is delighted to know that Averina Snow will be back-stepping for her, both before and when she goes on to Oirschot to compete at the Combined Pony World Championships.

Following health problems, Emily has had a 7 year break from competitive driving but has been busy with voluntary work. As well as supporting the BYDs and RDA, Emily has been the BDS Commissioner for Young Drivers for nearly ten years. She is a qualified coach and has a Masters degree in Animal Science.

Emily has represented Wales and GB on the Youth squad internationally five times. She was particularly thrilled to win the Derby Cup for the Best marathon of the forty five competitors at the international Channel Cup in 2009. She is also five times National Young Driver Champion.

She has been recognised for her voluntary work including as a YELA Gold Ambassador and as a Carriage Driving Volunteer of the year.

Emily is supported by the GB POD Training Group and Equilibrium Product & Supplement Solutions.

All of Emily's social channels on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok can be accessed via LinkTree - CLICK HERE >>