Try your hand at carriage driving after £30,000 grant to enable people to try the sport

By Katy Islip

General news

09 December 2011 11:51

Carriage driving is set to come to a wider audience thanks to a funding grant from Sport England.

The British Horse Driving Trials Association (BHDTA) has been awarded a £30,000 Sportsmatch grant for its project called Driving Back to Sport, which is designed to encourage 200 people aged 18 and above to take up the sport.

The programme came about after BHDTA marketing manager Chris Hillman realised carriage driving had much to offer to more mature people as no physical fitness is required to take up the sport.

Chris said: “Carriage driving is perfect for boosting confidence, and getting people back into physical activity, perhaps after an illness or personal ordeal.

“The ‘Driving Back to Sport’ project will not only give people the opportunity to try driving for free, but also give the participants a life changing experience, getting people out enjoying the fresh air and exhilaration that this sport provides.”

The cash is the first Sportsmatch grant given for any equestrian discipline, and was secured after the BHDTA worked in partnership with the British Equestrian Federation.

The Driving Back to Sport programme will kick off in January and run to April, and will offer 50 people from four regions of the UK to undergo one-to-one training sessions delivered by United Kingdom Coaching Certificate-accredited coaches.

The courses will take place at Ashfields Carriage & Polo Club in Essex, Fenix Carriages in Devon, Bennington Carriages in Nottinghamshire and Adlington Equestrian Centre in Cheshire. All venues will supply horses and equipment.

For more information and to apply for a place email lucy@instinctivepr.co.uk