Riders

CARRIAGE DRIVING

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Driving with “Tall Timbers” – Linda Ongley

ABOUT CARRIAGE DRIVING

The aim of RDA Carriage Driving is to teach people with disabilities to drive carriage horses. Whenever possible, specially built wheelchair loading carriages are used, giving opportunities to both ambulant people and those who use wheelchairs. An experienced accredited driver, called the RDA Whip, always sits beside the Driver with a disability, in the carriage. Each has a set of reins. This means that whilst the Driver is in control, the RDA Whip can always override control in the interests of safety.

For every carriage driving session there must be three helpers on the ground. They are the groom to hold the horse when necessary, and two other people to assist the driver to get in and out of the vehicle as directed by the RDA Whip.

The helper is an integral part of the smooth running of a Carriage Driving program with a Centre.

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A CARRIAGE DRIVING DAY AT TALL TIMBERS

by Linda Ongley (Carriage Driver)

Every third Saturday of the month, the morning is abuzz at Jan Muspratt’s property at Rossmore. This is where the Tall Timbers carriage driving group holds its drives.

At the helm is Jan, who keeps us all on track for the morning’s driving. John and Margaret Moore arrive with Sonny Boy, and Jan has Nicholas ready for the day. The helpers are allocated their duties, with at least three working with Margaret and Sonny and three with Jan and Nicholas. Each is given a lead rope, as anyone may be called on to assist with holding the ponies when driving in the paddocks. Usually we have four drivers and between six and eight helpers on the day.

Jan uses the wheelchair loading vehicle, whilst Margaret brings her specially designed conventional sulky which has been accredited for RDA use. Each has two drivers for the morning’s work and turns are taken to drive in the two paddocks. In one we usually practise dressage whilst in the other is a cones course. Helpers position themselves around these paddocks.

We are a happy bunch, and during the year have been getting in practice for our State Competition in Cones, Barrels and Dressage. These things give us something to work for, and have good fun doing it. On our most recent day, we spruced up and had photos taken for the State Competition concourse class.

After the morning’s drives are finished, the ponies are unharnessed and washed down. Sonny goes back to his float for a feed whilst Nicholas can’t wait to get to his paddock and roll. We then all adjourn to the barn for morning tea or coffee. We all do our bit in bringing the cakes or biscuits. This is when we catch up on news over the last month and discuss our activities for future driving days.

Without Jan it would not be such a satisfying day, as she gives us a lot of incentive to better ourselves in driving, making it a personal challenge, and this means a lot to us.

MY FIRST DAY

By Matt Peace, Carriage Driver

Saturday morning arrived. I was very excited about my first day at carriage driving. It was something new to learn about and enjoy for recreation.

It was a beautiful spring morning and I watched how “Nick”, the welsh pony was harnessed for the carriage ride. Soon it was my turn to drive the carriage.

Alongside me, was my expert whip, Jan, and off we went through the gate and into a large green paddock. As we drove around I learnt about the use of the reins and how to drive between the cones and around the corners, and to dodge the sheds and people on the sidelines! What fun! Nick was excellent too; he did everything he was told.

I liked the breeze in my face and the sounds of the pony and carriage as we moved around the paddock.

It was great fun and I can’t wait for the next time to come around!

LINDA ONGLEY

Carriage Driver

I have been blind for almost eight years now, (caused by Glaucoma/retinal detachment), and around four years ago became interested in carriage driving. This was while visiting family in England, and my future sister-in-law taught me the way to drive. This was while she was training another pony in a vehicle and exercising her own.

I found it quite a challenge, but enjoyed the feeling of freedom doing this. Being totally blind I find some things rather difficult to grasp, and enjoying being around animals found this quite relaxing. It is not only the driving, but the other bits that go with it, eg. cleaning the harness and grooming before and after, makes me feel quite relaxed sometimes.

Then I found out that Tall Timbers at Box Hill had the carriage driving as well as riding. So I then pursued this and now have been doing this for almost two years now.

I must say I do get quite a buzz when I manage to get a place when Jan and I have entered in some competitions.