Sixteen year old local girl, Chantille Brown from Kingswood, and her family are this week celebrating her success in gaining second place at the National Championships of the Indoor Horse Driving Trials held at the Equestrian College at Keysoe, Bedfordshire over the weekend of 29th and 30th March 2008.

Having competed in the South East Region Indoor Trials held at various venues in Kent and Sussex during the winter of 2007/8, Chantille was delighted to win the Regional IHDT Novice Horse Class at her first attempt and thus qualify for the National finals.      

Driving her six year old hackney stallion, ‘Albert’ and with brother Absolom on the backstep, Chantille was required to demonstrate her driving skills in three difference stages of competition during the two-day event – dressage, cones and four separate ‘against the clock’ obstacle courses.

A delighted Chantille said, “I was really excited to have qualified for the Nationals and went there just to enjoy myself and to gain experience.   The competition was good  fun and ‘Albert’ was great – he drove really well.   To have come second at my first attempt is fantastic.   It was hard work, we all had to get up early to clean the carriage and tack, and to groom and prepare ‘Albert’, but it was all worth it.   I am going to continue with my training and take part in more events during the summer to build up my experience, and then have another go at the Indoor Trials next season”.

What made Chantille’s success all the more significant is that despite being only sixteen and thus entitled to participate as a Junior until aged eighteen, she took part in the Senior event and competed against adults with far more experience than herself.

Sue Wotton
Parish Clerk