Stella Hancock Driving Group was one of the first RDA carriage driving groups. It started in 1976 and operated at first from Stella's own farm at West Horsley. We are a charity relying upon fundraising and donations.
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Our current premises were purpose built with a carriage house, clubhouse, harness room, stables and yard. It was officially opened by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in 2003. We are situated on the 700 acre Merrist Wood College campus near Guildford.
ABOUT US
Drives takes place every Wednesday morning between April and October. A choice of fields, woods, tracks, campus roads and an outdoor arena offer skills for dressage competitions, obstacle and cone courses and pace and control.
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Each week, qualified coaches, trained volunteers, disabled drivers meet and are teamed up with the horses and ponies for a morning of driving whether practicing for an event or enjoying a drive around the grounds. Teas and coffees, biscuits and cakes are provided encouraging a friendly, social and active community.
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The group has a very friendly, inclusive and supportive ethos, with over 70 members, including 22 are disabled drivers and 25 regular, active volunteers. Volunteers are assigned to a supporting team per horse and carriage to assist the qualified coach and keep the drivers safe.