Our Driving Days
How it works
We teach disabled people to drive. Our participants are always accompanied in the carriage by an RDA coach. Our activities enable our participants to enjoy the therapy of being out in the countryside, immersed in the natural world and with the opportunity to interact with the ponies and other people
The Drives
The ponies go out in the morning on two drives, lasting approximately 45 minutes each, with the possibility of an additional drive in the afternoon. This can be on the roads, or if the weather has been dry, on the wonderful off-road tracks around the farm.
Safe Driving
Our ponies are assessed by the RDA for their temperament and reliability. The carriages are relatively low to the ground and designed for easy access. The 4 wheeled carriage has a folding ramp to allow wheelchair access and so that the participant can be seated alongside the RDA coach. When we drive on the road support cars, carrying volunteers and carers, are positioned in front and behind the carriages. We also have support cyclists strategically placed around the carriages and to help manage traffic flow. Most local drivers and cyclists are considerate and have become used to us
Timings
We run a timetable for the sessions and the times for drives are given to each participant. A wheelchair participant will be taken on the final drive each time as it takes time to manipulate the ramps. We welcome flexibility with timings.
Our Ponies
At present we have three ponies in harness.
Lady
Lady was born in 2005. She is a 14hh Welsh/cross grey mare. Lady was purchased by the group when she was 4 years old and trained to harness. She pulls a 2 wheeled carriage and has worked for the group ever since. Lady is the group’s stalwart and longest serving equine. She is very enthusiastic about her work and has shown herself willing to face new challenges since the group’s driving venue moved from Shifford/Cote to Charney Bassett. Her preferred command is “Trot”.
In 2025 Lady was selected as the RDA Equine of the Year. We collected her award at the RDA National Championships in July 2025.
Freddy
Freddy belongs to our group chairman and is loaned to the group on driving days. He is a 15hh black Dales type ride and drive gelding and was born in 2001. In his younger days Freddy was a Cavalier adventurer, taking part in Civil War re-enactments and is familiar with the sound of cannon and musket fire. He has also trekked across the country from Cornwall to Oxfordshire. He joined the Shifford group in 2019. Freddy now pulls our 4 wheeled carriage. His preferred command, now that he is the group’s elder statesman, is “Walk”.
Tommy Zoom
Tommy is the baby of the group. He also belongs to our chairman and joined the equine trio in 2023. Tommy was born in 2009. He is a 15.2hh bay American Standard Bred/Pacer gelding. We do not know much about his background but do not think that he has ever been raced. His relaxed trot is swift but he has cleverly understood that we prefer him to saunter along. Tommy is very keen to please. He passed his RDA assessment in June 2025. He also pulls the 4 wheeled carriage. We hope that Tommy’s preferred pace will become “leisurely strolling ” in both walk and trot, so that Lady can keep up with him.
CARRIAGE DRIVING
Freddie ambles along taking us for a drive
Each and every step he takes with pride
Then here goes clever Lady she has learned a new route
A new home and friends
The sound of their hooves clip clopping along
The rumble of wheels
As we travel along
My problems and disability
The Turmoil of the world
Are banished for a while and are gone
So here we are carriage driving once a week is my happy place
A big thank you for all the team of volunteers
And all their efforts that help it to take place.
We Need Volunteers
We always welcome new volunteers and can’t run this wonderful organisation without their help. Please consider giving a few hours a week to keep our group running.