A first for Midlands Carriagedriving and Bennington Carriages
16 May 2025
Report by: Wendy Nix
Photos courtesy of Bennington Carriages
Midlands Carriagedriving and Bennington Carriages came together in a new venture that resulted in a highly successful training day on Friday 16 May.
Midlands chairman, Paul Hart, said: ‘There were eight sessions, with drivers and equines all at various stages of their training. This was the first collaboration between Midlands and Bennington Carriages, with everyone taking advantage of the host’s excellent facilities near Newark, Nottinghamshire, including afternoon tea in Bennington’s spacious showroom.
Barbara Seed
‘The day consisted of drivers working on any, or all three phases of competition. Some, like open driver Lesley Tilbury, driving twice with different animals or a different set up.
Lesley Tillbury
Lesley Tillbury
Another trainee, novice pony driver Jocelyn Smith, really challenged herself by driving the cones at ever decreasing widths, with her final attempt being 5cm under the open class allowance and still making the time!
Jocelyn Smith
Jocelyn Smith
‘Whatever the reason for attending, everyone went away with some positive things to work on, and it is intended to repeat this format in the near future.
Midlands would like to thank Bennington Carriages for supporting this new training venture.’
Julie Barker
Julie Down
Louise Roberts
Watch out for further dates of training days at Bennington Carriages.
Midlands will also host training days at Anslow in Derbyshire on the Saturday before its ODEs on Sunday’s 22 June, 13 July, 17 August and 14 September.
The club also hosts a Two-Day National Event at Onley Grounds in Warwickshire from 26 to 27 July Onley alongside the Junior Championships and Club classes.
All entries for training and competitions can be made via the MC website at www.midlandscarriagedriving.co.uk
For news and more information on Midlands Carriagedriving, including joining the club, visit our website and follow the club on Facebook.