Fantastic Driving Holiday

[maggie]

Roger and I have just come back from our holiday. We went for some driving lessons at John Parker's Swingletree Farm and it was amazing.

They took a lot of trouble to find out exactly what we both wanted from our lessons, so we did dressage and cones in the mornings



and roadwork in the afternoons




Our pony is Jessika, a Connemara who is a wheeler in the pony team that pull Father Christmas in the sleigh at Olympia

They put us in different vehicles, 2 and 4 wheelers as we have both



but I prefer the 4 wheeler



The yard is in Wingfield, Suffolk, lots of single track roads, pretty villages and lovely countryside. We had a lovely B&B in the village in a 17th century half-timbered farmhouse. The air was filled with the smell of parsley, it was the crop being harvested in a number of fields while we were there. We also went through Wingfield Common and I thought there were a lot of piebald horses tethered there. Well, there was a lot and they were tethered - but most of them were cattle!



Apparently, the commoners have grazing rights, but the common can't be enclosed, so everything is tethered.

We were introduced to all of the horses and ponies, saw the Hungarian Greys in action



had a tour of the carriages and the harness room and chatted over lots of tea!

Our instructor was called Carol and she was lovely, very kind and understanding. What we didn't expect was that both John Parker himself and his partner, Susan Townsend were very generous with their time and lots of useful hints and tips. You couldn't wish to meet a nicer bunch of people than them and all their staff.

Now all we have to do is to find an experienced driver that can keep us on the right track nearer to home. We need to bring Peigi back to working in harness (never with us and not for many years, so not sure how that will go!) and maybe breaking Jemma to drive so that we can do Dales things.

and I don't want to show off or anything, but.......

I can now do trot cones 'coachman' - well, most of the time anyway

[valerie n scout]

sounds like you hada fantastic time Maggie, just love driving x best of luck and keep it up at home x

[harveydales]

Brilliant, Maggie! It sounds a perfect holiday and lovely that you've come home inspired to continue.

[cadeby]

Fantastic Maggie. Sounds like money well spent - informative, encouraging and great fun.

I know a few people who have been to Swingletree Farm and they all say it's fantastic. Wouldn't want to keep that team of greys clean though. Do they live out?

I resort to 2 hands going round things in trot and if tractors or lorries appear, so maybe I better book lessons too

We want to get Pagan back in the shafts again this winter. She's just like Peigi - never driven with us and not for many years. We'll have to compare notes and moral support

[tomasnrichy]

Maggie , i,m so pleased you had agreat time , and Bloody well done on Driving Coachman , as i know how importantnit was for you loved the pictures thanks for sharing this thread! Richy x

[greydales]

Sounds fab ;D. I've only driven a few times but absolutely loved it

[mickey]

Sounds like a fantastic holiday. How do they keep them so clean?! We'd like to get Oz broken to harness- though Lu would like both him and Rory to drive so she can do pairs...

[kaz]

Sounds like you had a fab time, well done

[tinkerdorisalison]

Maggie it sounds fab and exactly what you were hoping for.

Glad you got to grips with the coaching hand - your dad will be smiling ;D

[blackdales]

Well you cant get any better than John Parker. Hope you continue driving.

[zeldalithgow]

So pleased you and Roger had such a fab holiday, I've not tried driving but I'm begining to think I might like to have a go, I really like the look of the Saddlechariots.

Maggie don't know if this place would be close enough to you www.floddenedgefarmequestriancentre.com/

[maggie]

Oh, thank you Zelda, Flodden may be do-able! I used to take Chris for lessons to Etal when Lady Joicey was alive and I think that's about the same distance. Maybe we should meet up there and have a Girls Day Out, with driving lessons? Heather, you could join us. Anyone else?

You should try driving Zelda, it's great. I've had a go on a Saddlechariot too and I have to tell you that it's the most fun you can have with your clothes on!

Nearly all of the Swingletree horses are grey and they are all turned out every day. They come in happy, relaxed and covered in mud, but they don't mind a bit because they have staff who spend ages grooming them. There are 3 bays there too - John apparently decided to have a go at breeding his own from 4 grey mares - well, one of the foals turned out the right colour. There is also an old (37) Dales mare called Dolly and her son Gypsy who is Welsh Cob x, a mere babe of 20 something.

Helen, it would be great to compare notes and keep each other going through the winter. I'd love to enter a driving class at the Spring Show, but not sure how Jemma will react and I think Peigi might raise one or two eyebrows with the amount of white she has.

Alison, I read your comment about my Dad and it brought tears to my eyes - although, thinking about it, he'll probably be shouting 'about blurdi time!'

[zeldalithgow]

That's a great idea Maggie, who else is up for a girls driving outing.

Buy some black dye for Peigi ;D

It's lovely to know that Swingletree horses are out every day, I hate it when people keep their horses stabled all the time, and mollycoddle them

[dalesponyrider]

That sounds like a wonderful holiday Maggie. I am hoping that Penley will be my little driving pony so maybe I need to go visit that place sometime. Learn something and have fun at the same time.