GB POD Training Group News

My ponies and I have flourished

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 10:04:16 GMT

Thanks to the superb, well-structured, and comprehensive training on offer

I joined GB POD Training Group three years ago, and in that time my ponies and I have flourished thanks to the superb, well-structured, and comprehensive training on offer. The pair of dubious little tearaways I started with are now becoming balanced, confident athletes under Robert Buck’s patient and exceptional guidance.

Robert is deeply committed to developing horses and ponies so they can perform safely, happily, and in harmony with their handlers. As a hands-on trainer, he often takes the reins himself, demonstrating exactly what’s needed to achieve the results we’re striving for.

Behind the scenes, Julie Camm ensures everything runs seamlessly. Her exceptional organisational skills and genuine care for members create a truly inclusive and supportive environment. Every GB POD member values her dedication and personal touch immensely.

There’s a wealth of knowledge, experience, and camaraderie within the GB POD community. Through local monthly clinics, regional camps, national training events, and the Festival and Certius Championships run alongside POD by Julia Liles, there are endless opportunities to learn, grow, and have fun.

I can’t recommend GB POD highly enough. It’s inspiring, exhilarating, and thought-provoking, and it’s without doubt one of the best ways to become a more skilled and confident horseman or horsewoman.

- Carolin Gibbs

Training in May at CDSG Camp

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 11:11:12 GMT

First Class Facilities with World Class Trainers

We are delighted to be training at Carriage Driving Sports Group for Drivers with Disabilities.

Location: Unicorn Equestrian Centre, Stow on the Wold, Gloucester, GL54 1JZ

Dates: Tuesday 5th & Wednesday 6th May

Information & Booking: Julie Camm | 07778 931950

FOR ALL ABILITIES ON FOOT | WITH OWN TURNOUT | TRY A SCHOOLMASTER (LIMITED SPACES) | DAY VISITORS WELCOME

Stabling, catering and accommodation available.

For Drivers:

Cones, Obstacles, Flatwork and Suppling/Schooling exercises to take home

Great preparation for those competing in 2026 including BC Club and National events, Driving for the Disabled Class at Royal Windsor, RDA National Championships and Certius Championships.

For Volunteers & Coaches:

Seminars and Masterclasses including
Developing the RDA Coach Q&A
Correct harnessing
Physio for performance
Developing coaching exercises
Judging a dressage test
Sharing ideas through networking
Certified CPD Try Driving

THE CRICKLANDS FESTIVAL OF CARRIAGE DRIVING

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 11:19:38 GMT

A week of training and coaching at the most prestigious venue in the country

The Cricklands Festival will be a week of all things carriage driving - coaching and training, clinics on hoof and foot with the aim to help and encourage drivers and navigators of all abilities to achieve their own personal potential.

The Festival will open on Tuesday prior to The Certius Championships .

GB POD Training Group will once again be running a programme of training sessions throughout the week, covering the three phases of competition in preparation for the weekend.

Tuesday arrival with individual assessment, flatwork sessions and harness and safety checks. Late afternoon a cones demonstration/masterclass and an opportunity for all to walk the cones course. Before dinner there will be a video and short talk regarding the cones competition including relevant rules.

Wednesday cones training with first suppling exercises in pairs followed by driving the cones course several times with feedback. Late afternoon an obstacle demonstration/masterclass including backstepper/navigator training and an opportunity for all to walk the four obstacles. Before dinner there will be a short talk regarding the obstacles including the relevant rules.

Thursday obstacle training again suppling exercises for obstacles and then a chance to drive the actual obstacles and try different routes. Late afternoon a Compulsory Figures demonstration, both Novice and Open and an arena walk. And before dinner a talk and video regarding Compulsory Figures including relevant rules with input from the Head Judge.

Friday 'warm up' help then rehearsal of Compulsory Figures test with feedback. Late afternoon a welcome reception and competitor briefing with Compulsory Figures Q&A from the Head Judge.

The GB POD Training Group will offer support throughout the Championship weekend.

To book your place or for more information contact Julie Camm on 07778 931950 or email at julie@juliecamm.co.uk

Friday will be arrival day for those attending the Championships. The Magic Arena will be available for familiarisation and practise or training with coaches. Two 30m x 60m arenas for Compulsory Figures will be available and there will be areas with cones and obstacles. The Ballen Ring will also have cones courses and Wentwood and Lakeside Rings will be available for schooling.

Saturday and Sunday will be The Certius Championship competition days.

4th to 7th August 2026 : THE CRICKLANDS FESTIVAL PRIOR TO THE CHAMPIONSHIPS
8th & 9th August 2026: CERTIUS SHORT FORMAT NATIONAL CARRIAGEDRIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

GBPOD Training Camp at Lincomb Equestrian

Sat, 21 Jun 2025 20:54:47 GMT

You can take the lady out of modelling but you can't take the modelling out of the lady !!

We arrived to the GB Pod training camp at Lincomb Equestrian with unsettled weather but a VERY warm welcome and after bedding down the ponies we went to the fabulous club house to enjoy a lovely home cooked meal and then went to our beds to try and get some sleep (through the wind and rain) for the following days training. Waking up to a deluge of rain I had the pleasure of driving Mat the amazing schoolmaster (owned by Julie Camm) and despite the weather I got so much out of my session having the pleasure of learning from such an experienced horse (and Robert of course). The weather then brightened and the sessions continued throughout the day, ending with another fabulously prepared meal and an informative talk from Robert including the different frames of the horse during a schooling and working session.

All three phases were covered over the course of the two days training with both Robert and Lucy working tirelessly without hardly a break and offered their dedication and enthusiasm to each driver whether they were the first or the last in the day, sharing their knowledge which I and everyone else found invaluable. The drivers also had the opportunity between their sessions to watch the other drivers to continue their learning with the help of a speaker, enabling them not to miss a word of the training. Amongst the participants of the camp were RDA and Para Drivers, some of which are aiming for the World Championships in Germany later this year. Watching the drivers just showed how committed Robert and Lucy were to EVERYBODYS different needs, training and aspirations.

The whole team worked together seamlessly with Julie, Chris and Gisselle in the background ensuring everything ran to plan! So I would like to say a big THANK YOU to all and I cannot wait till the next Pod training and meeting friends old and new.

- Ellen Kilchmann

Coaching by Robert

Thu, 30 May 2024 21:01:37 GMT

Robert has a sympathetic coaching style...

I've had two sets of lessons now with Robert over the last few years with two different ponies and I can confidently say I have found the coach for me! I've enjoyed both sets equally but have learnt something new every time I've driven into an arena with him. Robert has a sympathetic coaching style; I feel that I am allowed to make mistakes so that I can learn from them and improve for the next time. I feel that I'm understood as a driver and what my strengths and weaknesses are and I've walked away from each lesson with a new set of skills. I don't have my own driving pony yet but plan to have more lessons over the coming year with Robert so that I'm in the best position possible when I come to buy my own. I know that I'll be in good hands to execute this plan with Robert's coaching. The GB POD Training Group is full of such like-minded people and the results truly speak for themselves. I'm very grateful for the support and coaching Robert has given me and now my husband Mark as he begins his journey with Carriage Driving after spending so many years as a rider. Julie's organisational skills to manage these clinics so well are five star and she ensures everyone is accommodated and looked after throughout.

Thank you GB POD Training Group for allowing me to enjoy carriage driving all over again and learn each and every time I train with you.

- Callum Dugan

GB POD -Jayne McGarvie Exloo Competition 2024

Thu, 30 May 2024 20:48:38 GMT

A very special journey to the Para World Championships 2023

By Jane McGarvie

Jayne McGarvie, a part time veterinary nurse in Aberdeenshire, is an inspiration.

This is her story - from the dark days of suffering a stroke following a car accident at just 29 years

old, to the wonderful experience of competing alongside the top Para drivers at the World

Championships in Exloo.

“Without GB POD I would never have got to where I am.”

“In 2014, when I was 29, I had a serious car accident that resulted in a left sided stroke and brain

injury. Following three months of hospital care and rehabilitation, I was able to return home and

continue my recovery with the help of the fantastic specialists and my family and friends. I am very

grateful to all of them and especially the amazing NHS team who have helped me with my long,

challenging rehabilitation and together we continue to make improvements.

From having to relearn to walk and build up strength in my left side, I never even dreamt that I’d be

back riding again, let alone learning to carriage drive and managing to qualify for the GB Para Squad!

It took a long time for me to find my amazing Gypsy Cob, Scrumpy Jack but he was worth the wait,

and we make a great team. We enjoy training and competing in ridden and carriage driving events

locally. I attend the Riding for Disabled (RDA), Garioch Carriage Driving Group at Old Rayne,

Aberdeenshire and progressed in 2019 to compete at the RDA National Championships in England

and we were delighted to be placed 3rd in our class.

At the SCDA at Cothal in 2022 Jack was amazing and we managed a few sneaky canters out of

obstacles. Eileen Cornish was judging and gave me lots of encouragement to try Paras.

THE GB POD TRAINING & PARA AVENTURE STARTS 2023

In February, with Scrumpy Jack and my good friend and Back stepper Fiona Smith, we travelled the 5

hours to Biggar @ The Pines. This was a two-day camp with four lessons in total. I was blown away

with how excellent the training was I and I felt I was about to properly starting my driving

education….. no more “bumble steering”! I was to quickly learn that I had to focus, get a proper

education and learn to actually drive!

Scrumpy was sent down to GBR’S Robert Bucks Training Yard for a few weeks to help Scrumpy to

understand what was required of him. Fiona & I were to join the GB POD in March at Cricklands –

The David Broome Event Centre, Chepstow, Wales.

Taking over two days to travel down, Fiona and I arrived first. We had never experienced anything

like this before. It was a far cry from the RDA Championships. Big Friesian horses in teams of four in

the warm up, the high competitive atmosphere and everyone seeming to know what they were

doing, was exceedingly overwhelming.

Then Julie & Robert arrived with the horses and Scrumpy. Julie tucked us under her wing and got us

settled in. All seemed right with the world. Robert did his best with us and we did try extremely

hard. Despite on day one Dressage Day, having an extreme migraine and fainting on and off all

morning and on the way to the carriage, I determined not to get a WITHDRAWN on my first proper

adventure! We lived….. and over the next few days of the event learnt so very much.

April, I attended the Carriage Driving Sports Group for drivers with disabilities and GB POD Training

camp at Unicorn Centre, Stow on the Wold, Gloucestershire. I was granted permission to drive Julie

Camm’s “Black Jack” under Robert’s glorious instruction and I got a true feeling of correctness and

power. In my eyes Jack was the carriage driving equivalent of Valegro and it was an honour and

experience to drive him. Such a wonderful and welcoming experience and I met all the Para drivers

and other RDA groups of the area.

In May my yard had a Bio security issue that grounded all and dashed my hopes for training and

aiming for the World Championships, Exloo, Netherlands! I was devastated and panicking that I was

letting down those that had supported me and were helping me to fundraise.

Julie Camm came to my rescue and bravely offered me to loan her pony Pandora’s Diplomat - Matt

to his friends - to drive at Hopetoun’s National 4 day Event, Edinburgh.

There is not enough space or time for my reader to do this section justice but all I can say was the GB

POD Team with Robert, Julie and my new World class Back stepper Lucy Scott, not to forget the

legend that is Matt … they held my hand and willed me through that first ever major event of mine. I

would never have even entered if it was not for their unending advice and support.

June was Sandringham National in Norfolk - 3-day event which was beautiful but HOT. Team GB

POD tirelessly coached and helped me through, with Robert back stepping for me as well as driving

other turn outs. We enjoyed the lavender fields and herds of Muntjac deer on the marathon and

managed to manoeuvre our way over bridges, round tractors and through flags of the world. An

excellent event.

In July my father drove me down over two days to Lincomb Equestrian Competition Yard,

Worcestershire (south west of Birmingham). This was GB POD training camp and Qualifier for the

Certius Championships the following month. I felt we were progressing. POD had been excellent and

holding Zoom call meetings to go over past events to aid improvement and understanding of where

to improve. I tried to apply the energy and balance through the start, into the obstacle and leave

with purpose through the finish. A very good and educational clinic.

Once finished Dad drove me over to Hartpury where there was a chance to obtain my FEI

Classification assessment. It was more in-depth than my BEF classification physio check. Very

stressful in case they were not satisfied with me but thankfully I was granted my FEI Classification for

grade 2 group 15.

I nearly broke poor Fiona at Onley Regional, Rugby, Warwickshire! It was a two day event in July. It is

a beautiful but vast Polo Club grounds, so with no bike or quad it was extremely tiring. Thankfully

our lovely GB POD team did manage to prop us up on their quad and helped Fiona get about when

they could. Again, this was a busy event with testing obstacles and cones. We did quite well and Lucy

stayed quite clean when we got out the water!

The Certius Championships Featuring The Zilco Ashes 2023, Cricklands, at The David Broome Event

Centre, Chepstow in August was our last chance for final training and to play with the PARA team. I

was enjoying myself and felt a less nervous that in a few weeks’ time we would all be making our

wat to our final goal of the PARA World Championships in the Netherlands.

Exloo

My first ever adventure to an International FEI Para Carriage Driving World Championships, Exloo in

the Netherlands, 2023 arrived. Fiona and I had an amazing time! Without team GB POD I would

never have got where I am or to any event, let alone an international one! All the hard work behind

the scenes of getting man and beast as well as motor across the water and borders. All the

equipment, not just for the sport but for the function, like shelter and food. Quite the feat in itself.

The event was astounding with all the Para competitors from all over the world - to mingle and chat

to them was quite an honour. I was quite in awe of all the competitors and to add an extra layer, we

were sharing the event with the World Teams Championships so got to see a few famous faces.

My highlight was the Water Obstacle. I was the fastest Para in my class through that. Lucy had

managed to show me on her phone, one of the American team fly into it… I remember thinking “oh

well, we know where the bar lies”. I remember flying in and the rush of the water was deafening but

Lucy’s voice ringing through loud and clear giving me the confidence to open Matt up. Poor Lucy

was brown after that but her Lashes survived! Such an excellent lady.

My advice for aspiring RDA drivers is to always accept the help offered.

Never say “I can’t do that” if there is a will there is a way. You are braver than you know.

I put my entire confidence in the GB POD Team. They never appeared to quiver in front of me which

gave me mountains of confidence. Robert would often say, in his way at the beginning of our

acquaintance and coaching, to stop apologising and putting myself down with negative thoughts and

phrases as it would create negative outcomes. I learned to put positivity in to getting the best out of

what I could do.

I look forward to the future and hope to encourage and assist to coach those that want help,

especially in my area of Aberdeenshire. To then be passed on to Robert and the GB POD Team.

I hope I can continue to train to be part of the GBR PARA Squad for Germany 2025.”

CDSG 2024 Camp at The Unicorn Center

Wed, 01 May 2024 12:12:22 GMT

CDSG Easter Camp 2024 Round up

By Emily Ham

From the moment of arrival on Thursday afternoon at the Unicorn Trust Equestrian Centre you feel welcomed for this very special weekend of carriage driving.

Turnouts from RDA groups were unloaded and the horses set up in the superb stables. I took my Welsh Section D Alfie.

It was at this camp last year that Alfie and I picked up our partnership and started our path to team bronze at the Para World Championships in the summer. Camp is a real confidence giver and you receive top quality training set to your individual needs. Robert Buck and Sara Howe are excellent trainers and make every session enjoyable as well as packed with progressive skills. Julie Camm and Averinna Snow very generously brought their lovely FEI Welsh driving ponies as turnouts for those who had no driving turnout to use. What a fantastic opportunity for those who had booked in!

Thursday evening was a social event with a delicious group supper followed by a PowerPoint presentation by Udi, who gave an interesting talk about rehabilitation and working with hospitals and disabled people in Israel, using horses and carriages.

Early breakfast on Friday was followed by a full timetable of driving with individual lessons on improving technique. Using the indoor arena with its viewing gallery and good acoustics meant we could all learn at once. We had two really useful driving sessions each on Friday and in the evening had a presentation on Para Team GBR at the 2023 World Championships. Saturday was cones and then obstacle driving before setting off back home. Sara was, as ever,endlessly enthusiastic and supportive with participants’ confidence growing by the minute. Robert enlightened us on the importance of suppleness and constructively equipped us with the fundamental tools on how to achieve this in each of our horses. They both excelled themselves and we are hugely grateful to them, attendees all commented on how much they had learned and how encouraged they were to take this information forward at home.

As I was a team member and dad had taken lots of photos at the event, Julie had asked me to organise the Para Team GBR PowerPoint. Although rather daunted, everyone was so responsive and interested I actually enjoyed giving it and answering questions. Being on the team for the World Championships had certainly been my experience of a lifetime and one which would not have come about without Julie and Giselle's support and Robert's training in the preceding months. My journey had all started at the Unicorn camp the year before. I would like to think that others taking part in this year's camp are also now on the way to fulfilling some of their driving dreams.

The RDA groups were busy throughout ensuring their drivers were getting the best from the opportunities.

As we discussed over the weekend it is well worth going to the RDA championships, and also the Certius championships - where they have the indoor driving format- and a separate class for novice drivers with disabilities as well for experienced open paras.

Di Green, of the Para Equestrian Foundation, had recruited a keen group of para riders who wanted to experience the thrill of driving. What a privilege to start out with a top FEI turnout and the top trainers. It was amazing to see how quickly the Para riders picked up techniques - growing in confidence and skills. Di is following up with zoom talks and other sessions to encourage para riders into our wonderful sport and any para rider who is interested should contact her.

Julie Camm as the organiser of the GBR Para drivers training is very supportive in welcoming newcomers as well as those who have come up through the RDA and BC clubs. She supported RDA driver Jayne Mcgarvie last year by loaning Jayne her very experienced pony Matt at key training and events, as well as for the National and World Championships.

Finally this brilliant camp would not come about without the dedication, organisation and enthusiasm of CDSG chair, Giselle Locket.

Camp has everything....a happy supportive atmosphere, camaraderie, excellent individualised training and good meals, all set in a top venue with amazing facilities. We all had a fabulous time!

Don't miss the CDSG camp at the Unicorn Trust Equestrian Centre in October.

You can find the CDSG webpage here for more information and up and coming dates .

GB POD Pre Season Training Competition at Cricklands 2024

Tue, 11 Apr 2023 13:46:32 GMT

Event Round up

By Emily Ham

What a fantastic start to the competition season for all of us who belong to the POD group. It was my first pre-season training event with POD support and the support was truly second to none.

Robert was busy with individual training sessions that really helped set you up for the competition in all three phases and his schooling advice is always spot on.

Among the POD members taking part at the event there was every combination keen to learn - singles and multiples including pair and tandem, horses, ponies and novice drivers through open to advanced. We all benefitted greatly from going through our individual dressage tests and working on parts with Robert.

He was also there to help us each warm up before our competition test and to build up our confidence so we could do our best.

At this training clinic every driver received immediate feedback from International FEI Andrew Counsell who was leading the judges clinic at the event, in addition to their dressage sheets. Along with Robert, Julie was keenly listening and the comments will be used going forwards in our schooling. It's exciting to see how far we have come and to know we have established a really sound basis to build on going forwards.

Robert really knows how to get the best out of people and horses!

As well as the excellent support from Robert and organiser Julie, POD members are always happy to help each other out. I really appreciated the extra help throughout the event from other POD members both behind the scenes and on the carriage as backsteppers for the competition.

This really is a very special group!