CDSG-dd - News

Competition
This year sees FEI award the 2008 Para Driving World Championships to Germany. The Championships will take place at the highly regarded Horse Driving Trials course at Reit-und-Fahrverein St. Martin in Greven-Bockholt from 27th - 29th June.

Training
The group holds a number of training sessions, if you are interested in attending future training please contact Margaret Brockie on 01204 531301 or margaretbrockie@talktalk.net

GB Team Announced for FEI Para-Equestrian World Driving Championships - Greven 2008

Ripley Castle hosted the final team training and selection for the Para-Equestrian World Championship hopefuls from 30 April through to 4 May.

Despite news that there would not be a pairs class at the World Championships this year, Brenda and David Hodgson still joined the team and in their usual enthusiastic style demonstrated outstanding team camaraderie throughout.

The past months has seen every single driver and horse improve enormously in ability and confidence, making the final selection of these Grade 1 and Grade 2 single horse and pony drivers by no means straight forward.

The team has now been finalised and will comprise two drivers with excellent WorldChampionship track records - Lindsey Tyas (Grade 1), driving her experienced Welsh Cob, London Flash Jack and Judi Ralls (Grade 2), driving Glenmead Flashman – plus newcomer to the World Championship scene, Margaret Lupton (Grade 1), driving her very impressive Welsh Cob Ilar Barry.

Terry Kirby will back them up as team reserve, driving Welsh mare Holgar Lady Megan, and Heather Clark driving her own coloured trotter cross, Barney will compete as an individual.

Huge thanks go to the North East Driving Trials Group and to Sir Thomas Ingleby for their generous provision of grounds and facilities at RipleyCastle.

The selected team and individuals will be training and competing at Escrick Park at the end of the month, with a final training clinic at Ashfields in mid June before heading over to Greven, Germany for the World Championships, 25 – 29 June.

Lindsey - Ripley Selection (photo E. Tyas)

Judi - Ashfields Selection (photo Mike Watts)

Margaret - Ashfields Selection (Photo: E Tyas)

Selection for Para Equestrian World Championships Squad
Ashfields 17 - 20 April 2008

The Para Equestrian World Class Squad continued with their training and competition selection programme, this time at Ashfields Carriage and Polo Centre, by kind permission of Terry Chambers.

Outstanding training, competition and social facilities were provided by Zoe Morgan and Wilf Bowman-Ripley, accommodating an intense training programme on the Thursday and Friday, followed by a specially devised class where competitors went head-to-head as part of the selection process.

Lynn Winder, Chris Van Reen and Rachel Stevens headed up the training programme and the team where once again ably supported by sports psychologist Jennie Killilea and team vet Viki Edmondson.

The team will be selected based on inclusion of one Grade 1 and one Grade 2 competitor, the third team member being either a Grade 1 or Grade 2 driver. There will also be two individual places available. The Pairs class is not yet confirmed, which has been agonising for poor Brenda Hodgson, but she is continuing, regardless with the invaluable training programme, this year with a different pony pair from the previous World Championships.

Team hopefuls are:
Terry Kirby Grade 1 Single Pony
Has team experience from Hellendoorn and is very strong and consistent across all three phases.

Judi Ralls                                 Grade 2                        Single Pony
One of the most experienced team members; a very reliable driver with an experienced Championship pony.

Elaine Schaschke                   Grade 2                        Single Pony
First attempt at selection, a talented driver showing great potential, with a very smart and well prepared pony.

Heather Clarke
Grade 1
Single Pony

One of the most admired and talented drivers on the circuit. Diligent, dedicated and preparing herself well - one to watch.

Brenda Hodgson
Grade 1
Pony pair

A proven World Championship track record with her well known Duns. This year with a new turnout showing loads of potential.

Margaret Lupton
Grade 1
Single Pony

Missed out at the last Worlds at the last minute, due to an unfortunate accident. Now with a new pony, showing great improvement. A determined competitor with natural talent.

Lindsey Tyas
Grade 1
Single Horse

Another extremely accomplished and experienced World Championship competitor, showing consistent improvement year on year with this horse.

Photo by Malcolm Parnell

To view the full competition results of Ashfields, please refer to the EACDG website.

The selection of the team and individuals will be made following Ripley, taking place 1 – 3 May. There will then be two training camps prior to the World Championships which will be held in Greven, Germany, from 26 – 29 June 2008.

The team is self funded and relies wholly on generous donations from individuals and small businesses. Should you like to be involved in supporting this potentially Gold medal winning team of talented drivers, competing at the top of this sport notwithstanding significant disability, please get in touch with

Judi Ralls (01252 850330) or Lindsey Tyas (07721 833730)