Driving Ponies : Harnessing Potential
Sports Driving Unlimited
About Us
We believe this charity is unique in its approach, blending the exhilaration, excitement and adrenalin rush of sports carriage driving with the expertise of developing individual confidence, motivation and achievement.
Our Board of Trustees is made up of people from a variety of backgrounds, all of whom have an interest in equestrian sports driving. Each trustee brings specific skills and experience to the team. David Broome, twice Olympic medal winner and consecutive European and world champion, has agreed to be Patron of Sports Driving Unlimited.
We have a team of proactive individuals who feel passionately about the benefits the sport can provide and are willing to put time and effort into establishing this charity so it can make valuable contribution to the wellbeing of disadvantaged, disabled and terminally ill children and adults.
For a copy of the 2011 Annual Report, click here.
Currently there is no organisation that specialises in providing sports driving to disadvantaged or terminally ill individuals. Through active involvement participants will personally benefit from an overwhelming increase in self esteem, confidence, motivation and achievement; all vital in helping them cope with the challenges of everyday life. It is widely documented that involvement with ponies has huge therapeutic powers in building relationships/friendships and strong personal bonds with everyone concerned. These opportunities will enable each participant to be involved in sports driving to any and all levels whether for fun, as a hobby or more seriously in sports driving competitions.
For more information on some of the programmes we have run recently go to the Grants page. We are also funding individual lessons for individual drivers with disabilities. To see a short video clip of a young disabled driver training for an indoor competition, click here!
To see a video clip of a young disabled driver competing at an outdoor driving event, click here!
Here is also a selection of photos from our recent Rhins & Machars programme for youngsters with disabilities in south west Scotland.
The result being that people of all ages, who are disadvantaged, have mental or physical disabilities or are terminally ill, gain the personal confidence and skills to succeed with all of life’s challenges.
Sports Driving is an excellent activity for youngsters - they learn to care for their pony, it engages their thought processes and memory, as well as improving their motor skills. They can get out in the fresh air, or take part in the secure environment of an indoor school. Ponies respond in kind with love, affection and hard work!
Sports Driving Unlimited recently funded a programme of driving lessons for children from the James Rennie school in Carlisle. Youngsters aged from 10 – 12 with disabilities had instruction in driving starting with the basics and progressing through the sessions which culminated in a competition with timed cones and obstacle driving. One young lad didn’t want to trot during his first session but by the last was asking to go faster when cantering around the arena! Rosettes were awarded at the final competition session for each phase. To see a short videoclip of the kids having serious fun, click here.
James Rennie teacher Liz Davison said “This four week programme has been an exciting and rewarding project which all the children have thoroughly enjoyed. It has provided them with a unique opportunity and has improved their confidence in trying new experiences. The final session was a real celebration of their achievements and gave them the opportunity to show off their new abilities and skills. I can’t thank the charity enough for funding this project – we will be keeping in contact in the hopes that more money can be raised to extend it”.
Click here to see a video of our young disabled drivers competing.
| Grants & Programmes |
| Reference |
| Photos |