Ten carriage drivers from this area are making the journey south for the National Indoor Championships over the Easter weekend at Keysoe in Bedfordshire. All the drivers gained their places at the championships by winning at the South Scotland regional indoor driving events held over the winter. Five are drivers with disabilities supported by local charity Sports Driving Unlimited.
Four young drivers – Alicia Fraser and Samuel Parker from Boreland, Lewis Shaw from Annan, Matthew Powell from Dalbeattie will be competing in the junior classes. Lewis took part last year as the very first blind driver to compete in a national championship. Also making a return trip are Graham Smith from Annan and Charlotte Thomson from Eastriggs. Graham is the current outdoor National Novice Para-Champion and Charlotte is reserve. They will be competing in the Novice Class at Keysoe alongside other able-bodied drivers.
Three other drivers from Chariots of Fire Driving Centre, Boreland are also making the trip – Amanda Nisbet with her pair of Dartmoor Hill Ponies, husband John Nisbet with his Arabofriesian horse Otto and Louise Kaiholm with her pony tandem. John is defending his title of National Indoor Intermediate Horse Champion 2014.
Competing for the first time at the championships is Iain McKendrick from Newton Stewart. Iain has been invited to drive in the multiples class with his 3 lovely coloured Shetlands that he drives in a ‘unicorn’ formation.
We wish all the drivers a safe trip and lots of luck in the competition.
For more information on the charity Sports Driving Unlimited or any other aspects of driving for those with disabilities go to: www.sportsdrivingunlimited.org.uk
