A1 Events Ltd

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Welcome

Here at A1 Events Ltd, we intend to increase participation and enjoyment in carriage driving trials by encouraging a greater number of adults and children to compete at carriage driving trials at all levels and to do so more frequently and increasing the satisfaction of participants and volunteers to sustain and grow carriage driving trials participation.

 A1 Events Ltd is inclusive and accessible to all ages and backgrounds, including under-represented groups. We will promote carriage driving trials and deliver programs at club, regional and national levels.

 

 

We have a new venue for the ICD dates for the 2023/24 season.

 📍PICKERING GRANGE EQUESTRIAN CENTRE📍

 


 

The British Indoor Driving Championships 2023 will be at Arena UK, 14th to 16th of April 2023 

 

Sioux Gardner

Intermediate Horse

Lincs and Leicestershire

Steve Hoyle

Open Horse

Lincs and Leicestershire

Vicky Sandall

Novice Pony

Lincs and Leicestershire

Rachel Ison

Small Pony

Lincs and Leicestershire

Suzanne Dicketts

Pony Pair

Lincs and Leicestershire

Nichola Parkin Pony Pair Lincs and Leicestershire

Corinna Northover-Brewer

Small Pony Pair

Lincs and Leicestershire

Dawn Dickens

Small Pony Pair

Lincs and Leicestershire

 

We would like to wish you all the best of luck.

Drive as you have at our events and ENJOY your experience. 


 Frickley Park National Carriage Driving Trials 2022 

the jewel in the crown of A1 Events Ltd.

 

The bank holiday weekend saw a brilliant event at Frickley Park. The weather was perfect, the arenas for Saturday set in front of the beautiful estate home of the Warde-Aldams and the marathon course ready in the parkland for Sunday.

The atmosphere for the dressage and cones was incredibly calm which resulted in some stylish tests from either end of the age and class spectrum. Ruby Gray, the youngest competitor, and George Bowman Snr, the most senior, both drove beautifully to secure top spots in their respective classes. However, both were surpassed by Deborah Daniel in the Para Championship class with her top score of 47.13.

The cones course “appeared straight forward and inviting” (David Taylor) and “was cleverly built and should not be underestimated” (Lyn Chorlton) and several turnouts came close to perfect rounds. The 3 elusive double clear rounds came from Lyn Chorlton (National Novice Pony), Lynda Christion (National Open Singles) and Deborah Daniel (National Para Class) who also finished her super day in top spot.

Sunday dawned bright and clear, the marathon course ready and waiting. And it did not disappoint! It was fantastic to watch the competitors genuinely enjoying themselves in the obstacles James Binns had designed for them.

Rupert Barnard said “it was great to drive some proper old school natural obstacles”.

Sue Botley enjoyed “well thought out obstacles and a superb backdrop”.

And Deborah Daniel described her round as “one heck of a marathon and definitely well worthy of a Championships, the setting, the obstacles, quality of dressage and cones arenas all fabulous. And boy oh boy a proper marathon. An awesome venue. As an estate it's a hidden gem”.

Perhaps George Bowman Snr summed things up most neatly by commenting “it was fabulous to finally have an old school marathon course again, with good obstacles and good options” high praise from someone who has driven a serious number of courses in his time.

Notable rounds came from Leslee Wilkinson, Ruby Gray and Mary Fuller, however, Lyn Chorlton absolutely smashed it over her 6 obstacles. Over the full 8 obstacles, Diana Lindsay proved to be the quickest with her horse pair, a great comeback after her disappointment on the Saturday. Congratulations must also go to Karen Basset who remains unbeaten for the second year running with her fantastic four in hand.

Overall, our heartfelt congratulations go to Deborah Daniel for winning the 2022 Para National Championships and the Heather Clark memorial trophy - something we know was extremely special for her.

And finally; when competitors tell you the event was “well worth the long journey and they will definitely be back” and “I can’t wait to come back” it makes the A1 Events Team extremely proud to have made it possible.

Special thanks go to all the officials, judges, stewards, volunteers, competitors and most of all our very special sponsors for making the weekend outstanding!!!

 

A1 Competitors, A1 New Obstacle, A1 Event!!

A1 Events Ltd have been working hard this year and succeeding to provide top quality events for all levels of drivers, giving value for your money with long flowing cones courses asking all the right questions. A new portable solid wood obstacle has been made, previewed at the last Rossington one day event.

Work is afoot building other obstacles for the Frickley Park National & Club event, August 26th – 28th, 2022.

Rossington/NRC June 5th report.


 


Frickley Hall Regional Qualifier

   

Karen Bassett - Horse Four in Hand Competition winner

Results

PHOTOS

 


Progression: Competence Cards

If you are a club level driver at present and wish to make the move up to compete in Novice classes at a club’s Novice Qualifying Event, Regional event or National Event, or any of the classes for multiples, remember you need to submit a signed Competence Card to the BC Office. If you are contesting the Indoor Finals at Open level, you may use this as one of the events on your Competence Card. Gateway classes do not count towards your competence sign-off.

This is now done using the online database where you can upload copies using the “Certifications” option.

Free Start Fee Vouchers for New Novice Drivers

Drivers submitting Competence Cards to progress to National Novice classes will receive three free start fee vouchers. When entering events, contact the BC office before sending payment so that the amount to be paid can be adjusted.

New Rule - Clipping Sensory Hairs

The FEI outlawed trimming the whiskers of competition horses in all disciplines from July 2021 unless done by a vet to prevent pain or discomfort for the horse. Any breach of this rule will result in disqualification. This has applied to British Carriagedriving events since 1st July.

Important Vaccination Rule

Although delayed by a year due to coronavirus, from first January 2021 the BC Rule Book adopted the FEI vaccination rules. This is often misunderstood; vaccinations must be within 6 months of the event (which is not necessarily the same as a 6 monthly vaccination). Depending on your competition schedule, annual vaccinations may well work for you but you will need to consider the timing in relation to the events at which you plan to compete.

The Sport Always Needs New Volunteers!

Like most equestrian sports, carriage driving depends on a large number of volunteers to help events run smoothly.

No driving event could exist without a huge team of helpers - dressage stewards and writers, marathon timekeepers, obstacle stewards, cones arena, and collecting ring stewards, scorers, and score collectors - all equally essential to the smooth running of a competition.

But it is interesting to consider that over half our existing “hardcore” of regular stewards came into the sport without any prior knowledge of driving; indeed many of them had no previous experience of horses but were drawn in by friends and relatives already involved.

 

How Can You Help?

 

Volunteering

Over half of Driving Trials' existing 'hardcore' of regular stewards came into the sport without any prior knowledge of driving. Many of them had no previous experience of horses and were drawn in by friends and family already involved!

No driving event could exist without a huge team of helpers: 

Dressage stewards and writers

Marathon timekeepers

Obstacle stewards

Course marshals

Score collectors

Cones, arena, and collecting ring stewards 

All are equally essential to the smooth running of a competition. Some roles require more specialist knowledge than others but this expertise is not gained overnight. 

The sport is lucky to have the benefit of some very loyal and long-standing stewards - but they are not getting any younger and we must encourage new people to join us. Anyone interested is very welcome to come to an event and find the Supporters Tent where they will be made to feel extremely welcome and their questions ably answered. 

There is a place for all levels of experience within the 'Team' at an event and help and advice is always on hand. To gain that essential experience, you have to take the plunge in the first place!

So why not be brave and offer your services at an event?

No knowledge or driving or even driving trials is needed and full training will be given on the job! You can even bring your caravan or tent and stay over, enjoying some wonderful countryside and excellent company!

To find out more click here


 

 

 

NameClassAreaJoanne GadsbyIntermediate HorseNotts and South YorksJon WhiteIntermediate HorseMidlandsPhoebe MatthewsIntermediate HorseThames ValleySioux GardnerIntermediate HorseLincs and LeicestershireSusan WilesIntermediate Horse

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