Posted by Teresa Watson on Tuesday, February 15, 2022,
Welcome to another full year of carriage driving. Never before has being outdoor in the open air surrounded by animals been more important for our well being. We feel very fortunate to live and work where we do during the uncertainty for the last couple of years. This year we are really looking forward to a full year of coaching, teaching and competing. The ponies have been working very hard over the last few months teaching more and more novices to carriage drive. There is a full programme o...
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Posted by Teresa Watson on Wednesday, December 2, 2020,
This year has been an incredibly challenging year for the business as two country lock downs affected lessons. However, during the first lockdown we took the opportunity to mend things, paint things and generally get round to jobs that normally no one has time for. With the support of such loyal clients, as well as carriage driving being outside, we were able to continue to operate during the second lock down. We held two summer camps, one for children and one for adults, and had a mini ODE. ...
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Posted by Teresa Watson on Friday, November 15, 2019,
This has been a busy year for Team Howe as they have been competing in the pony pairs class and pony four in hands. They drove all over the country at different selection events to collect points for the necessary selection. In July the team was announced and Sara had been selected for the World Championships in Hungary. She represented GB for the 9th time alongside her daughter Phillipa, who drove in the Pony Singles class. Both of them did very well with Sara finishing 16th in the pony fou...
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This year has been an incredibly busy year for Sara. She has successfully competed both a team and a pair of ponies at National level and managed to achieve an under 65 dressage score ( a criteria in preparation for the Pony Worlds Selection in 2019) She is the current pony team champion again for the 9th year in a row! She has also been abroad to Holland with the GBR para equestrian team as their trainer. The para drivers did incredibly well and won a team bronze with individuals winning a b...
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Posted by on Tuesday, November 24, 2015,
In :
2015
Posted by Polly Ruddle on Monday, September 14, 2015,
Posted by Polly Ruddle on Friday, May 29, 2015,
In :
2015
Please find attached the results for the Mini ODE Day Event on Sunday 23rd May 2015.
Click here to download. Continue reading ...
Posted by Polly Ruddle on Thursday, February 12, 2015,
In :
2015
Posted by Polly Ruddle on Wednesday, January 28, 2015,
In :
2015
Posted by Polly Ruddle on Friday, January 16, 2015,
To view the results, please click on the following links that will open up in PDF format.
Results no. 1
Class 2 - Open Pony Continue reading ...
Posted by Polly Ruddle on Tuesday, June 17, 2014,
In :
2014
Royal Windsor 2014
Lorry packed and heading off to Royal Windsor once again,
To an international competition so we needed to train,
Wheelers became leaders, we were swopped left and right,
We wanted to improve our dressage and put up a good fight,
A vet’s inspection in the morning and trot up to prove us all sound,
Warm-up and schooling outside the arena trying to make us round,
In the test we showed suppleness, impulsion, better bends and more,
This dressage test was a huge improvement earning a 5...
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Posted by Polly Ruddle on Thursday, May 22, 2014,
In :
2014
Again this year we were given the honour of competing at Royal Windsor.
We left the yard as planned at 9.30am on Tuesday morning. The journey there went well and we pulled into the showground at 11am.
Literally as we pulled in the heavens opened and while Sara sat in the lorry staying dry Sarah Mac, Tom and Donna got soaked whilst trying to decide where to park! For the last few years we have always parked at one end of the lorry park, this year to give us a little more space they suggested we ...
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Posted by Polly Ruddle on Thursday, March 20, 2014,
In :
2014
During the last two months Sara organised two ' ride and drive ' days at Bradbourne. Seven people took part each time.
I was ' indoors ' with the riders while Sara was 'out in the cold ' with the drivers but incidentally both days were dry and bright!
The object of the riding sessions was to show how to achieve the rapport needed to be able to help the horse when driven by utilizing certain exercises such as leg yielding and shoulder in to improve the general way of going. Clearly training...
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Posted by Polly Ruddle on Monday, February 3, 2014,
In :
2014
Well who says you need a horse with you to get a lot out of a training day. There is no reason to stop learning just because it is wet outside.
Ten of us embarked upon the early start and long journey on that biggest car park in the UK otherwise known as the M25 to make our way down to Kent to Sara’s yard. The weather was atrocious with torrential rain causing slow driving conditions, which were made even slower due to a four car pile-up!
Anyway the journey was worthwhile as we arrived at t...
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Posted by Polly Ruddle on Monday, February 3, 2014,
In :
2014
On the 19th January Leonie and Sara held a ride and drive. The aim was to school your driving pony/horse under saddle and then transfer the schooling methods to your pony when driving. The use of ridden schooling is to help improve our driving skills and to highlight some of the problems we may incur when we are schooling when driving.
We were able to watch through the day and had the opportunity to discuss with each other the different problems we all had.
My first schooling session was wi...
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Posted by Polly Ruddle on Sunday, January 12, 2014,
In :
2014
Posted by Polly Ruddle on Thursday, December 12, 2013,
In :
2013
Want to set yourself new driving goals for 2014 ? Want to introduce your friends or family into carriage driving, to be taught by our very own world champion, Sara Howe? Thinking of grabbing yourself or your loved one a bargain ? Then look no further. To
purchase Sara Howe's book, 'Progressive Carriage Driving', or to
enquire about the 'Buy 5, get one free' offer please call Sara on
tel: 01732 459 518, mobile: 07961 314941 or email at: showe45951@btinternet.com
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Posted by Polly Ruddle on Tuesday, November 5, 2013,
The
Gingers are back on the road.... Woken up at 4am in the pitch black for
some breakfast then shoved onto the lorry. We left Le Mans at 5am and as
long as all goes to plan we hope to be in Sevenoaks by 4pm! Continue reading ...
A massive congratulations to Rosanna and Anna for bringing home the
medals. We are really pleased with the Gingers they tried their little
hearts out! Off to bed for us humans now as a long drive ahead of us
tomorrow. Mind you not sure we will get much sleep as the Dutch are
seriously partying right now! We plan to pull out of here at 8am
tomorrow morning and should hopefully arrive in Le Mans 9-10 hours
later! A night in Le Mans then the final leg of the journey home on
Tuesday. We ha...
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Some
great results today. Roseanna finished with a silver medal and Roger in
5th!! Pairs on now we are just sitting waiting for Anna. The gingers
class starts at 2.30. — in Montardon, Aquitaine, France.
Posted by Polly Ruddle on Thursday, October 31, 2013,
Dressage
times, French time. Gingers on at 4.05, Anna 9am, Emma around 11ish and
Sue around 2ish. Dressage team trained with Boyd today. They went
really well and Sara very happy and feeling positive. Opening ceremony
this evening. A great display followed by all the Nations parading round
the arena. We all waved our flags showing we are proud to be British!
Dinner soon then I should imagine an early night for everyone as long
day tomorrow. — in Montardon, Aquitaine, France.
A
little lie in this morning ponies fed at 8am. They were all a little fed
up as the cant see over their stable doors. But we soon sorted that and
put up the stall guards and they seemed much happier. Jack is the only
one that's worked out how to sneak underneath it! We drove the Dressage
team today they all seamed happy and feeling well and Sara got to drive
them in the main arena for a whole 6 minutes!
After the driving it was all hands on deck for harness and carriage
cleaning. Shu... Continue reading ...
Posted by Polly Ruddle on Monday, October 28, 2013,
A
lovely restful day and night in Bordeaux. A lovely yard with nice
stables, plenty of room to walk the ponies out and they even got to go
out in a field for a few hours. Everyone doing well and feeling good
especially Pip!! We left Bordeaux at 10.15 this morning and now on route
to Pau. Hopefully arrive there around 1.15pm. Weather has been good to
us so far but the rain has now started. We have been warned that the
storms you guys have had are coming this way hope you are all well a... Continue reading ...
Very
interesting day, arrived in France with no problems. Drama started when
we pulled in for fuel 3 hours from Calais to discover the A frame on the
front of the trailer was cracked both sides to the point where if we
had gone much further the trailer wouldn't have stayed with us. Several
hundred phone calls later and several hours later the trailer is welded
together enough to hold it for a few miles
and we take it to a garage. Again a million more phone calls and
several hours late... Continue reading ...
Posted by Polly Ruddle on Wednesday, October 16, 2013,
In :
2013
Competing at an outdoor National Final was an exceptional experience for us!
Having
decided in the Spring that we must see if we could qualify but not
actually having a "card signed" caused a good deal of stress!
We took ourselves off to Windsor Park where Sox
seemed fine round the the sixteen and half K marathon so we thought our
efforts at "fittening" must be working and we finished in second place.
Inspired by this we returned a fortnight later achieving the second
signature and comin...
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BCDC September Camp – red rosettes!
We arrived at the September camp in heavy rain but bright eyed and bushy tailed ready for another chapter in our carriage driving experience. Jenny was both excited and anxious as she had finally bought a 4 wheel carriage that Ronan – her naughty Fell pony – had yet to encounter. I was fine until day two when I discovered that Sara had passed me on to Leonie for my dressage lessons! Much to my surprise they went really well and at last I began to under...
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Posted by Polly Ruddle on Thursday, October 3, 2013,
In :
2013
PONY POWER: It all began when Jack, our youngest son, grew out of Buster, his 11hh hunting / pony club pony. PICTURE OF BUSTER AND JACK HUNTING Buster needed a new job as he wasn’t ideal as a small child’s riding pony, I put him in a carriage and we pottered around the lanes for a year or two. Then we had a go at club trials for a bit of fun, paying pocket money to my reluctant kids to back-step for me. The trials took us round the southeast, Sevenoaks, Windsor, and Goodwood. We had the m...
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Posted by Polly Ruddle on Sunday, September 29, 2013,
Posted by Polly Ruddle on Sunday, August 25, 2013,
In :
2013
As part of the Gingers World
Championship preparations, they have just been scanned using an amazing
new type of technology. Jacqui Clarke, a leading expert in this field,
visited them at home and took infrared images of their bodies. This
pioneering technique provides detailed heat images of the Gingers’
bodies and will allow Jacqui to spot any signs of abnormal heat within
their bodies that may suggest inflammation. We were not allowed to touch them as
the heat from our hands would...
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Posted by Polly Ruddle on Saturday, August 3, 2013,
Posted by Polly Ruddle on Friday, August 2, 2013,
In :
2013
I have stabling and grazing available in Gravelly Bottom Road, quiet location, to share with my 13 year old Cob mare.
Adjacent to local off-road rides through Abbey Wood and Kings Wood.
If you are interested please contact Peter Coleman on 01622 842183 or e-mail me at: gravellybottom@aol.com Continue reading ...
Posted by Polly Ruddle on Friday, July 12, 2013,
In :
2013
Dear all
Please find attached an invite and further details for our Bradbourne Driving Dinner Dance, being held at St Julians Country Club on Friday 27th September from 7pm. The cost is £30/person. Further details about payment or booking a table of 8 is all on the invite.
>>> DINNER DANCE INVITE - CLICK HERE <<<Please note that the invite is open to all Bradbourne riders/drivers and friends of Bradbourne. It will be a wonderful night for sure. See you there !
...
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Posted by Polly Ruddle on Tuesday, June 18, 2013,
In :
2013
Calling all members of a Bradbourne Club:- Juniors, Seniors, RDA and Driving to join together for a social afternoon and evening.
All the different clubs have a lot of equipment that has to be maintained and we would like volunteers to help in the afternoon with cleaning, mending, painting and sorting out our equipment stores.
The schedule is :
2pm onwards club equipment maintenance (wear some old clothes)
5pm BBQ and Rounders
Meet outside Bradbourne Clubhouse
BBQ £3.00 per person or £5.00 for...
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Sunday 12th May - Cones Day (more photos can be seen on the gallery page)
Up at
6am,
weather not great and quite chilly. The ponies had a walk out and some
grass and then it we all cracked on with plaiting and grooming. Pip was
really not amused, for those of you that don't know him he is not a
great fan of being plaited! He says its not very manly!
Sara at this point had not made a decision as to which ponies to put in
the wheel for the cones. Shuffle and Pip are usually the cones wh...
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Wednesday 8th May - Trot up day (more photos can be seen on the gallery page)
Alarms
went off at 6.45am and ponies all fed at 7am. After a quick cup of tea
the work began. Mucking out, washing white socks (12 of them!) and
plaiting. By 9am all jobs all done and time for another quick cup of
tea.
We
all then got ourselves looking smart dressed in beige trousers, Our
Sponsor Saracen's tops and Saracen's Caps. Even 2 boys looked clean and
presentable!
At
10am we headed up to the trot up ar...
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So here we are again. The season of 2013. A big year for the gingers as
we hope to gain a place on team GB for the Pony Worlds 2013.
A bit late in starting the blog, we are currently at Royal Windsor
having already completed Ashfields but lack of 3G at Ashfields meant I
was a little out of touch with the world!
So Wednesday 1st May we packed up and hit the road to Ashfields this
time with the new boy on board, Josh, for his first ever party with the
gingers. All on board feeling mu...
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Posted by Polly Ruddle on Wednesday, April 24, 2013,
In :
2013
A BIG THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING:
DENA JONES, LEONIE MARSHALL AND BARRY MARSHALL WHO SPONSORED THE CLASSES
A BIG THANKS TO MARISA PINNOCK FOR JUDGING AND LESLEY BAGLEY SHELLARD FOR WRITING
AND
TRISHA FOR THE SCORING AND ALL OTHERS HELPED IN THE CONES AND
OBSTACLES AND ESPECIALLY IN THE CLUBHOUSE CHRISTINE AND KAREN FOR THE
LUSH BACON ROLLS AND TEA.
Continue reading ...
Boyd Excel- current World Four in hand Carriage Driving Champion came to
Bradbourne to deliver a training day. Boyd is well known by all on the
driving circuit and his expertise and skill is amazing to watch, leaving
us all in awe as he achieves singles routes with his four in hand horse
team!! Lessons began at 9.00 and lasted until 5.30pm with each driver
having two lessons. It was a really informative day and we can't wait
for the next one-hopefully warmer!!
For more information on Boy...
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Posted by Polly Ruddle on Wednesday, February 20, 2013,
In :
2013
T
rish Lebus is still searching for a
younger version of her beloved old boy. She would favour Welsh Sec. D or similar,
around 15 hh, probably between 5 and 10 years, preferably broken to harness but
not essential, forward going and well mannered. She knows she is reaching for the moon but there must be one out there somewhere.
She would be so grateful if you know of anything,
mare or gelding. Please contact her on mobile: 07711162485, or by email on trish@tlebus.co.uk
Thank you....
Continue reading ...
Posted by Polly Ruddle on Sunday, February 3, 2013,
"Couldn't think of a better way to spend the day !" - Antonia Milner
"I
thought the centre was extremely well equipped, the day was well
organised and we weren't rushed. It was particularly thoughtful of them
to put the driving DVD on for us over lunch which gave us more of an
insight into the sport overall. The instructors were health and safety
conscious, very friendly, enthusiastic, positive and really encouraging.
They all went out of their way to ensure we all had a good time. Just... Continue reading ...
Posted by Sue Cox on Wednesday, December 12, 2012,
In :
2012
Posted by on Monday, November 5, 2012,
In :
2012
Please click on each of the pages, saved in PDF format, to read the full interview.
If you are interested in buying the new book by Sara, please call the
Carriage Driving Magazine Book Division on 01722 716 935. Sara is also planning to get a few copies at the yard for people who wish to buy them from her. If you are wanting a copy, please let her know so that she ensure she has copies to cover demand.
Continue reading ...
BRADBOURNE CARRIAGE DRIVING CENTRE
SUNDAY OCTOBER 28TH 2012
RESULTS
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Posted by Debbie Tatton on Sunday, October 14, 2012,
In :
2012
This
was how someone described the showing world when I told them my plans
for Abbey and me this year. The experience, however, was really positive
and I needed an excuse to dress up posh for a change!
We
were due to compete at the Oaks Open Show back in August but I managed
to sprain my ankle at Bradbourne days before the show. So a visit to A
& E courtesy of Sara, an X-ray and a crutch put paid to our showing
debut. But we did enjoy the cones day and BBQ at the yard on the same
day i...
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BRADBOURNE CARRIAGE DRIVING CENTRE
MINI ONE DAY EVENT 15TH SEPTEMBER 2012
RESULTS
| OPEN PONY | Dressage | Cones | Obstacles | Total A,B,C | Place |
| Leonie Marshall | 51 | 19.5 | 46.2 | 116.7 | 1st |
| Sue Cox | 70 | 2 | 48 | 120 | 2nd |
| Michelle Allen | 96 | 12.5 | 50.2 | 158.7 | 3rd |
| NOVICE HORSE | Dressage | Cones | Obstacles | Total A,B,C | Place |
| Debbie Tatton | 51 | 19.5 | 46.2 | 116.7 | 1st |
| Linda Hamblen | 70 | 2 | 48 | 120 | 2nd |
| Danni Claydon | 50 | 15.5 | 52.8 | 118.3 | 3rd |
| Chris Grist | 58 | 20 | 63.2 | 141.2 | 4th |
| Peter Flack | 69 | 16 | 62.4 | 147.4 | 5th |
| Isobel Standen | 49 | 42.5 | 56.8 | 148.3 | 6th |
| Novice Pony 6 | Dressage | Cones | Obstacles | Total A,B,C | Place |
| Tor Brad... |
Posted by Sue Cox on Tuesday, September 18, 2012,
In :
2012
Weds 5th Sept. 9.30 a.m.
The Gingers packed all their bags and off to The Windsor National Championships they went.
Sara had been away the week before to Breda in Holland with the RDA Paralympic drivers and Wow they came home 3rd winning the Bronze medal.
So the Gingers had an easy week before but now Thursday, we have to get down to business and so a couple of training sessions a bit of sorting out, the ponies were ok its Sara that might be a bit rusty.
Dressage
day Friday,, a...
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Well
we have just finished the final cones with a difference day and
barbeque there was a good turnout of drivers with a lot of familiar
faces, some of whom were driving new ponies.The weather was a bit threatening with a few drops of rain, but thank fully it did stay dry.Everyone had the opportunity to walk the course and then drive it three times.
The course consisted of five cones, an obstacle with five gates another
five cones another obstacle with five gates and a fina... Continue reading ...
We all had our fingers, toes, eyes and hooves crossed that our Annual One Day Event would take place given the number of carriage driving events that had already been cancelled this year.
Thankfully Liz and Peter said that conditions were ok and that we could continue with the event. Cue manic setting up of the course !
It started off beautifully, however as the day progressed so did the weather change. Yes, so we had the odd shower or two, maybe the odd clap of thunder and a bolt of lightn...
Posted by Team Gingers on Monday, July 2, 2012,
In :
2012
Preparations began a few days ago for the Gingers next big party this week at Sandringham Castle, Norfolk on 29th, 30th June and 1st July 2012.It
started with all the bathing , trimming and smartening up of the
totties, but they still had their turn out in the paddock and
promptly rolled in the dust much to Sarah Mac's disgust after all her
hard work.On Monday 25th along came Paul the farrier to give all 5 gingers a new set of party shoes.We
had a bit of worry last week when Sara's... Continue reading ...
Posted by Polly Ruddle on Sunday, June 3, 2012,
In :
2012
Well, just getting all excited for Sara's next big Event at Ashfields on 4th – 6th May, but we were all
on tenterhooks as to whether it would go ahead or not, you can imagine
why ! RAIN, RAIN and more RAIN. But thankfully as we got a few days
closer to the off, we had a few breaks and the weather turned, ( a bit
) .On
the morning they were leaving I even got up early to go and wave them
off and watch my pony Amble load up into the lorry. They were all very
excited as this is the... Continue reading ...
Posted by Susan Cox on Thursday, March 29, 2012,
In :
2012
We began the year on Jan 2nd with our yearly little mini one day
event at home. We had a very good day, weather was really good and
loads of competitors of all ages, couple of juniors, O A P (me) and the rest.
On
Sat 25th Feb was the annual Quiz Night. This year the questions were
set by the White family as they were last year's winners. There was a
very good turnout - at least 30 + people. There were 5 or 6 different
categories and a Joker to be played. One whole table was ma...
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Dear All,
Well , we are home safe and sound. What a trip, it
was outstanding. The ponies did us all proud, the journey was early
starts and long 12 hour travelling
days.
The ponies coped
with this very well, we chopped up some apples and dropped them into
the water and they all seemed very happy with that.
The stables
we stayed at on the stopover were absolutely massive, I could have put
the whole team in one box, it was really nice for the ponies to have a
roll and a walk r...
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Left
nice and early on Friday to get to Dover. It was a beautiful sunny eve
and the white cliffs looked very inviting and we were all in great
spirits. This was soon dashed
when Mr Sea France man said we didn’t have our export licence and we
couldn’t travel! The atmosphere in the camp soon changed and everyone
realised it was rather serious- eventually a very nice man from DEFRA
turned up from Ramsgate and issued us with an emergency
one. We missed the first ferry at 6.40 and ende...
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Well finally, the big day has arrived.
The horse box has been washed and cleaned, everyone has packed and the ponies sorted. Bless them, they think they are going to a party after all the pampering they have had in the last few days ! It's just that the party might take a little longer to get there than they anticipate .... I'm sure we'll be hearing plenty whinnying from the Gingers asking "are we nearly there yet?".
We only have 3 hours to go before we leave Bradbourne to catch a 6.40pm f...
Continue reading ...
Posted by Amble on Friday, September 16, 2011,
Well its time and all the packing has started ready for the off on Friday and guess what as Big as my Lorry is were not sure we are going to get it all in !!
All the ponies are looking so good, they were clipped on Monday and had a bath yesterday , Sara and Trisha were also clipped
yesterday. Thursday was also Vet's
inspection day to make sure everything was fine and we were all fit to
travel (obviously Sara and Trish didn't need an inspection!).
Arm bands packed for all the ponies...
Continue reading ...
Well folks, we're all quaking in our soon to be re-shod shoes. We only have 16 days before we head for Slovenia.... can you believe it ?
All eyes will be on us, so we have plenty to do in two weeks. We are off to Windsor Park on Sunday 4th to keep ourselves trim and to iron out any last minute issues. We will be so focused on listening to Sara that we might even forget to doff our brow bands at the Queen, should she be there.
I was a very brave pony and had my flu jab yesterday. The vet said...
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We want to give a massive thank you to everyone who has kindly
supported us so far with the Gingers fund to the Pony Worlds. The
generosity of everyone at the Bradbourne has been overwhelming and we
are extremely grateful to you all.
We will be keeping people posted
about our progress when we go abroad via the website and will add a blog
about our progress and include some pictures so keep checking the site.
If you want to be kept informed, click on the RRS link on this page and you wi...
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What an amazing weekend?! For those of you who came to the celebrations on the Saturday night, through to the One Day Event on the Sunday.
Continue reading ...
We did it !! We have qualified for the World Driving Championships, and Team Ginja is heading off to Slovenia in September. We are all excited and really looking forward to showing the world what we are capable of.
Continue reading ...
