Tandem Carriage Driving

For several years now I have groomed for Linda while she has driven her ponies initially as singles, then as a pair and now she has ventured into tandem driving. When Millie and Poppy are driven as a pair, the ponies are alongside one another - both responsible for pulling and leading. When they are tandem, the front pony is called the Leader and, as the name suggests, is followed by the second pony and the vehicle. The other pony is the Wheeler and is very active in pulling the vehicle with the Whip and Groom on board.

These images were taken in the past few weeks as Millie and Poppy have been preparing to be driven tandem. The first image was when they were being long-reined, in the school, to introduce them to the new formation. Then last week the ponies were driven tandem for the first time - out of the school and pulling a vehicle. At least one of the images shows that it is easy for things to go slightly awry - Millie thinking about coming alongside Poppy! All was well again within seconds.

The ponies did really well, once Poppy in particular realised what was expected of her. During this first outing, I was encouraging Poppy forward and to walk in a straight line! It meant I could snatch some photographs of everyone! It is always useful to have plenty of help on hand, so in the pictures are Ray, Linda's husband and Brent who is instructing, and the ponies are in livery on his farm. The ponies were very willing and tried hard to understand what was expected of them - no deliberate naughtiness. Driving tandem is a new challenge for the Whip too!