LATEST NEWS

Princess Anne opens RDA coaching centre The Princess Royal Coaching Academy recognises the importance of high performing coaches working with disabled riders and carriage drivers. The initiative will increase the number of coaches moving to advanced training, which in turn will increase the number of disabled people RDA can support, helping to tackle waiting lists across the UK.

Speaking to volunteers, coaches and staff, Princess Anne referenced the pioneers of RDA Coaching:“It was that early understanding and example of standards that has made the organisation what it is. For those of you who have followed in those footsteps and developed in your own ways in your own groups, and in your own areas, there is a huge amount we have learned. I hope you will agree that the Coaching Academy is an appropriate use of that experience, and will make all of that experience go a little bit further, to encourage more people to take their places in the RDA, and to make that change for each of those individuals that they come across.”  www.rda.org.uk

Eventing and carriage driving create a perfect match

This year’s Osberton International Horse Trials played host to a national driving event for the very first time.Following the huge success of a test driving trials in 2019, the team at organiser’s BEDE Events pulled out all the stops to bring toplevel sport.

Winner of the Horse Fours, Karen Bassett said: “The venue was just fantastic, it was a really great event, and I would definitely hope to be back next year. It was wonderful competing alongside the horse trials and the atmosphere was electric at times.”

Organiser Stuart Buntine said “We have had fantastic and very positive feedback and feel the carriage driving will develop year on year.” Sue Mart of Bennington Carriages who sponsored the event says: “We are looking to build on this year and want to attract the very best drivers to come along and take part.”

Tributes to Fiona Bonney

Boyd Exell I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Fiona Bonney on 31st, October. Fiona was a tremendous friend. She was an inspiration to be brave and follow your dreams, whilst still being a very kind and warm person.

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Fiona was an original member of our driving team, a Team XL sponsor, a savvy businesswoman, a clever horsewoman, a caring mum, and she was also a dear friend.

Fiona will be sadly missed, but never far from my thoughts.

May she rest in peace.

Tony Strachan, CEO – Zilco Group The carriage driving world is greatly saddened by the death greatly sa in Ita in Italy of Fiona Bonney

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(formerly Tedman).

Fiona was a delightful,

lively lady with a profound knowledge of all aspects of carriage driving. This included manufacturing and design, a skill with horses and considerable judging experience. As an innovative manufacturer in the UK, Fiona early achieved fame with the brand names of Tedex and Duraweb. Ever ready to assist others, she also saw the safety and comfort of the horse as key. Our condolences to Fiona's daughter Kate.

in and horses

Join the donkeys online carol service The Donkey Sanctuary will once again host its virtual Carols by Candlelight service from its international headquarters in Sidmouth, on Friday 10th December.

Following on from the awardwinning ‘Sanctuary From Your Sofa’ events that brought donkeys ‘virtually’ into people’s homes during lockdown in 2020, the charity’s traditional annual carol service will be broadcast for people to watch, from the comfort of their own homes.

The event commences at 6pm and will be available to watch on The Donkey Sanctuary’s YouTube channel.

The evening includes a livestreamed visit from the charity’s Paccombe Farm, as well as pre-recorded readings, traditional Christmas carols performed by a local choir and music from the Exeter Railway Band.

Paccombe Farm is located in the beautiful hamlet of Harcombe, just a few miles from the Sidmouth sanctuary in Devon.

As with the charity’s other outlying farms, Paccombe Farm is not open to the public, so this is a unique opportunity to meet some of the resident donkeys and the fantastic team of people that care for them.  For more information, including how to watch the 2021 Carols by Candlelight event, please visit www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk.

6 www.carriage-driving.com

December 2021 | January 2022