In 2007 the North Eastern Driving Trials Group had an active year holding 19 different events ranging from a Dinner Dance to a Sponsored Drive and all things in between including a very successful weekend of individual training for several Club members that will hopefully be repeated this year.

But as a start to the 2008 Driving Season, NEDTL will be holding a fifth Sponsored Drive on Sunday 6^th April at its permanent base of Escrick Park Estate between York and Selby. The drive is a good "pipe-opener" of about 16 km with six optional obstacles. Drivers set their own pace, so can enjoy the opportunity to gently ease their animals, grooms and carriages back into fitness. All are welcome. Having raised £12,000 from previous drives including £3000 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance last year, NEDTL hopes to raise substantial funds for this year’s chosen charity, Macmillan Cancer Support.

There will be a great opportunity for anyone interested in learning more about all that’s involved in the sport of Horse Driving Trials on Sunday 27^th April, when the BHDTA and NEDTL will combine all aspects of driving and stewarding at Escrick Park. For those interested in getting started as a competitor it’s an ideal opportunity to talk to drivers and look at various turnouts. In parallel with the Stewards Training Day the Club will be holding one of their popular PLAE Days developed to introduce new drivers gently to the intricacies of Driving Trials without the pressures of competition. The object is to Practice, Learn, be Assessed and to Enjoy; each novice driver will be allocated an experienced driver to act as their "Godparent" for the day. Observers without a turnout are very welcome. PLAE Days will be held on Saturday 22^nd March, Sunday 27^th April and Sunday 18^th May.

The 2-day events start on April 12^th/13^th at East Keswick for a warm-up competition to shake off the winter blues; it’s good to renew old acquaintances and be greeted by the stewards with their usual cheeriness – but more of them later! The 19^th/20^th April will see several NEDTL members’ head to Thoresby, is organised by the Midlands Driving Trials Group with whom we have reciprocal arrangements regarding entry fees. The 3^rd/4^th May will be spent in the beautiful surroundings of Ripley Castle; not only will this be the first event counting towards the Club’s Points League but it will also host the final selection event for the British Squad aiming for team places at the Para-Equestrian World Championships in Greven-Bockholt, Germany in June. Then it’s onto Escrick Park on 31^st May/1^st June where BHDTA Novice Qualifier classes will also run. 5^th/6^th July will see a return to the popular Fountains Abbey venue. Then it’s onwards and upwards to our two newest events - 2^nd/3^rd August in the wonderful lakeside setting of Allerton Park located in-between Harrogate and York, just off the A1. This venue was last season’s greatest find by Club Chairman Ken Walmsley – and what a coup for the club! The reward was an entry of 54 including three teams. This year will see the Club host the inaugural Intermediate Qualifiers for the National Championships and the running of a Horse Tandem Challenge. The reciprocal arrangements regarding entry fees with MDTG also apply here. Titlington held on the 23^rd/24^th August is our most Northerly event; it’s close to Alnwick in a most picturesque setting where several Scottish drivers cross the border to vie for the spoils. The final event of the outdoor season is the Interclub Championships at Escrick Park on the 20^th/21^st September.

The Club will again facilitate the National Junior Championships at Escrick Park on 27^th/28^th September where volunteer stewards will be extremely welcome.

None of our events could run without a lot of help and goodwill from landowners, farmers and in particular, our stewards and helpers. Following the retirements of some of our most experienced and longstanding volunteers we need to recruit several new stewards to ensure the smooth running of our competitions. Please encourage anyone you know who might be interested and if you’re a Club member not competing yourself, please come and help – we need you! Training is given and a Helpers Lunch is held every February to show the Club’s appreciation. Last year’s lunch organised (as always) by Steve and Liz Kerry, ably assisted by numerous – appropriately enough, helpers – provided a 3-course meal for 110 people.

Following the retirement of Events Secretary stalwarts Hazel Hindmarsh and David Harle we’re very grateful to Stan and Sue Eaton who are stepping into the breech. Sue is a familiar and friendly face at events as Glenys Ellis’ groom and Stan is probably best known for having his dog perform better ball skills than David Beckham in the canine competition at Titlington last year. Two future club members have recently entered the (driving) world – Zena and Philip Cheeseborough are proud parents to Chloe, while James Stanley Hemingway was born to Stan (note the middle name) and Glenys Ellis’ daughter Wendy and fiancé Jamie. Congratulations to them all!

We must also congratulate Jackie Herd who not only had a great season at Club events including winning the trophy for the season’s best dressage score but went on to win the Open Single Pony Class at the hastily rearranged National Championships at Catton with Gary Brown – a regular NEDTL competitor from Lancashire – a very close second. Well done to both of them and to Joanne Thomas, Sarah Meredith and Peter Shannon who competed at the National Junior Championships where the English team reigned supreme and Joanne won the cones section in her class. Also well done to Pat Cooper who is the Fenix Carriages Horse Tandem Points League Champion for the second successive year.

Have a safe and happy season! To find out more about NEDTL log onto www.nedtl.co.uk