A country sport that not long ago was considered a “dying art” is making its competitive debut at the Lancashire Game and Country Festival this month after a renaissance spearheaded by a new generation of enthusiasts.
Following a brief exhibition spot last year, carriage driving will feature in the main arena, alongside other horse classes at this year’s festival, which will take place on September 9-10.
Its Penrith-based co-ordinator Gary Pigney is even confident it could spark a Lancashire revival. He said: ‘Carriage driving used to be thought of as a preserve of rich old duffers. It was a sport the late Duke of Edinburgh enjoyed but now it is championed by his granddaughter Lady Louise Windsor, who at 19 is part of this new generation of competitors.
‘The current national indoor champion is just 18-years-old and a national runner-up, a 13-year-old called Ruby Gray from Leeds, who is going to the European Championships in Stockholm, is competing in our Lancashire event.
‘The sport attracts young people, who maybe have outgrown a much-loved pony but want to extend working with that pony. As soon as anyone starts competing, they become part of a friendly, enthusiastic community that wants to ensure the sport’s future. It’s not long before they become fully immersed and invested.
‘It’s also a really good sport for families, especially if some members are not especially horsey and don’t ride. Carriage driving means they can still go to horse shows and events as a participant rather than just a bystander.’
A typical carriage driving competition consists of at least three elements. There is a showing element that exceeds turn out to include a sequence of required movements – a sort of carriage driving dressage.
Driving skills are then assessed via a timed slalom-type course through cones topped with balls. Points are deducted for clipping the cones and knocking off the balls and also, for going either too slow or too fast as rhythm, pace and accuracy are scrutinised. The final test is a speed test, which is all about getting from point A to point B in the fastest time.
Competitors, all teams of two as besides the driver there has to be a passenger or “backstepper”, can drive a single horse or pony or up to six depending on the competition class. Gary said: ‘There are different equine breed classes to make competitions inclusive. You can pick up a carriage for as little as £50 or as much as £10,000. After last year, I know there’s the interest and enthusiasm in Lancashire to help our ranks swell.’
Something for everyone
For a fun family day out, there is have-a-go clay pigeon shooting, a collective of crafters showcasing skills from carpentry to metal forging, live music day and evening, a children’s fair, dog events, including terrier racing and a scurry competition organised by Kirkbourne Spaniels, whose proprietor Darren Kirk has just been named Gundog Trainer of the Year 2023, and stalls selling a range of countryside paraphanelia.
There is also an on-site food theatre offering among other things a children’s class in burgers and sausage making and an adult class in cheese and beer pairing.
Craig Whittingham, whose family own the 30 acres of farmland that becomes Scorton Showground for the festival and who is responsible for putting together the itinerary, said: ‘My family is passionate about preserving the countryside and its traditions against a tide of creeping urbanisation. The festival is our way of encouraging as many people as possible to respect and enjoy the riches country life brings to us all.’
Pond life
A feature of the Lancashire Game and Country Festival since its launch in 2015 has been its fly fishing workshops and demonstrations organised by GAIA, the Game Angling Instructors Association.
They have always had to take place on dry land but this year, the Whittingham family has built a figure of eight shaped pond.
While the pond, which is close to the main arena, will enable more realistic instruction at the water’s edge, its environmental significance could be even more impactful.Craig Whittingham said: ‘The pond is not just an investment in the festival. It has been designed and built to attract a diverse range of wildlife, including newts, frogs and birds.’
Visiting the Lancashire Game and Country Festival
Tickets for the Lancashire Game and Country Festival on September 9 and 10 come with free parking. Gate prices are £14 for adults and £11 for 10-16-year-olds with under-10s free. Discounted advance tickets are available from lancashiregamefestival.co.uk
There is also a VIP ticket, which includes a drinks reception, gourmet lunch and access to an exclusive marquee by the main show ring at £50 per person, and weekend camping for £100, which includes entry for two adults. Dogs on leads are welcome.
The showground is at Woodacre Lodge Farm in Gubberford Lane, Scorton, which is signed from the A6.
