Photopage 19 - Driving to Victory

On 23rd August 2009 the splendid Cleveland Bay carriage driving team of Paul and Chris Berens-Scott took first place in their class at the prestigious Concours International Attelage et Traditions  at the Chateau Barvaux in Condroz, Belgium. This competition for traditional carriage driving is in three parts. It begins with a presentation before the judges who assess the quality of horses, harness, vehicle, driver, grooms and the general harmony of the team. Competitors then embark on a fifteen kilometre (nearly ten miles) road run which is designed to demonstrate the ability to move the team at a regular pace in all circumstances. After their return to the Chateau and a break for lunch, teams then have to negotiate an extensive course designed to test their skills at manoeuvring around obstacles and all against the clock! We are indebted to Chris Berens-Scott for sending us news of this event and the six photographs which demonstrate so well the traditional versatility of the Cleveland Bay horse. If you would like to see more, on Photopage 8 we have pictures of the four Clevelands drawing a much heavier vehicle in the coach horn competion at the Suffolk Show earlier this year. The team hope to return to the UK next year.