Carriage Driving has been an important part of RDA since 1975 and there are now around 60 groups involved, giving opportunities to over 1000 drivers.
RDA Carriage Driving is open to all members of RDA and is particularly enjoyed by people who can no longer ride due to disability, or who prefer a different kind of equine challenge.
Here you will find all the information you need for your Carriage Driving Group.
March 2021 – Road to Restart
When carriage driving is permitted to restart in your country, please follow the RDA Carriage Driving Protocols (April 2021) at all times. These protocols were updated at the end of April 2021 to permit volunteers to be side by side in a carriage for exercising of equines and for coach assessment purposes where no other options are available. These protocols do not apply in those areas where there are no COVID restrictions, such as currently in the Isle of Man.
For further information about what is permitted in your country please see the Road to Restart page. This page also details what you need to do to restart Carriage Driving activities in your group and also contains Frequently Asked Questions for Carriage Driving.
Recent News
STELLA HANCOCK TRAINING AWARD FOR GROUPS 2022
Applications will only be accepted from RDA Carriage Driving Groups, not from individuals within RDA. The purpose of the award is for Carriage Driving Groups to provide training for their helpers. The Awards, which are financed from the Stella Hancock designated Fund are up to the value of £150. Closing date – 30th June 2022
Stella Hancock Application Form 2022
The Dudley-Smith Award 2022
RDA Carriage Driving is indebted to Susan Dudley-Smith for wishing to recognise our ‘unsung heroes’. Each Year RDA will acknowledge volunteers who have made an important contribution to RDA Carriage Driving through hard work and often unsung efforts.
The closing date for nominations is Thursday 30th June and will be presented at the National Championships at the end of the Carriage Driving Competition on Friday 15th July 2022.
Download the nomination form here
Coaching Pathway CD Conference Presentation
The Virtual Carriage Driving Awards Ceremony 2021
The 2021 awards ceremony will take place virtually on Sunday the 27th March 2022. Please click on Carriage Driving Awards for more info and how to watch live.
Endurance in Carriage Driving
Thank you to Forde Abbey Carriage Driving Group for trialling Carriage Driving Endurance – we hope that many groups will add it to the variety of activities that they already offer to their participants. Please fill in a Carriage Driving Endurance Application Form to add Carriage Driving Endurance to your activities. Information packs and certificates are on the Group Orders page. Certificates are available in 1km, 2km, 3km, 5km, 10km and 15km.
Carriage Driving Weight Chart and Guidelines
Carriage Driving weight chart and guidelines are now available on the RDA Group Order Form. Please download the form from “Group Orders” and send to groupsupport@rda.org.uk at RDA National Office.
Carriage Driving Proficiency Tests
We have four grades of Proficiency Test for Carriage Driving, all grades include Horse Care. Please click on the links below for training aids, syllabus and the handbook. These are also available on Group Orders website.
Carriage Driving Horse Care Proficiency Test Handbook
Proficiency Syllabus Card Grade 1
Proficiency Syllabus Card Grade 2
Proficiency Syllabus Card Grade 3
Proficiency Syllabus Card Grade 4