| In
1983 a group of 18 driving enthusiasts met near
Aldby
Park
near York
and formed the North
East Driving Club. At that
time there were several national 3-day Horse Driving Trials being held
throughout the country but there were no intermediate events.
It was a question of “in at the deep end”.
The founder members felt that a local group of enthusiasts could
organise one day events to encourage and improve standards without
incurring the expenses of travelling long distances and without the need
to provide overnight facilities for humans or horses.
As
with all progress, the very informal initial competitions have changed
significantly and have become much more sophisticated.
We hope the early objectives are still fundamental today:
- To
enjoy friendly competition.
- To
maintain the welfare of our horses.
- To
improve our standards of driving.
- To
arrive home safely having had a pleasant weekend with friends.
Initially horses,
ponies, harness and vehicles were selected by what we had.
Some were family ponies, harness was old leather or cheap imported
sets, vehicles might have been governess carts or home-made adaptations!
All were transported as best we could.
Today, “you get what you pay for”.
There are favoured breeds and we have had Shetlands up to
Clydesdales. Harness can range
from patent leather show sets, dual purpose webbing sets, or starter
packs. There are many types of
vehicles manufactured by reputable carriage builders, making sophisticated
reproduction vehicles, specialist marathon vehicles, all purpose vehicles
and exercise vehicles. Alternatively
you may be able to purchase second hand from a club member who advertises
on the club notice board at events. NEDTL is affiliated to the British
Horse Driving Trials Association.
When you start and before you spend a lot of money, please ask any of our
members for advice. We are not
“experts” but “we know a person who is!”
Officers of North Eastern Driving Trials Ltd
Chairman ~ Ken Walmsly
Vice Chaairman ~ Barry Hilditch
Secretary ~ Sue Oddie
Treasurer ~ Mary Longbottom
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