Firstly – apologies for the delays in getting updates through to the website! Here’s the latest from SCDA…
Hopetoun 2025 – 22nd-25th May
Everything’s coming together for the Hopetoun event ! Organizers, A-team, Catering all on site already! This link will take you to the page for competitor information – we’ll be adding more information throughout the coming week, and then the results as they happen throughout the weekend. The Hopetoun website also has more details about the event itself. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Cardross Event
For a full report and pictures from the event – see this post. Huge thanks to co-organisers Patsy-Muir Simpson and Sanchia May , Wendy and Graham Scott of Benview Garden Centre – main sponsors of the event, and to our host Sir Archie Orr-Ewing.
SCDA branded clothing / items
SCDA branded clothing is available from our friends at JS Teamware. Have a look at a selection of the items available at the JS Teamwear website and if you have any suggestions for other items you’d like to see, drop a note to Allison our secretary (you can use the Send Us an Email link) and she’ll work with Jane to see what we can arrange. We’ll keep you updated on this.
Ian Stark Centre – Grassroots event results
Well done to everyone who competed at the Grassroots event at the Ian Stark Centre. Huge thanks to Annie, Clive and all the helpers at the event. To see the results for the event click here, and for all the events so far this year, just navigate to the results page.
Friends of Hopetoun Horse Driving Trials
From the Hopetoun organising committee….
As you will all know, preparations are now well under way for this year’s event. This year we have had the idea of setting up a Friends of Hopetoun Horse Driving Trials. This gives everyone the opportunity to support the event by making a small donation to it, anything from £5 upwards would be much appreciated. We will create a list of names of Friends of Hopetoun Driving Trials which will be in the programme providing we have the donation by 8th of May. There will also be a free coffee in the secretary’s tent for all donations received!
Donations can be made by making a bank transfer to
SCDA Hopetoun
Account no: 00277330
Sort code 83-23-44
Please add “FofH” and your name as a reference
Many thanks for your support.
Spring Seminar No. 1 – Preparing for a Competition
Many thanks to Jamie March for putting together a fascinating and really informative presentation. If you wish to view Jamie’s presentation again (or for the first time if you couldn’t make the seminar!) you can download it here.
SCDA Spring Seminars – Get Ready for the Season!
As announced at our AGM, we’re excited to host three Spring Seminars via Zoom to help SCDA members prepare for the upcoming outdoor season. Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or new to carriage driving, these sessions will provide valuable insights, tips, and advice.
Seminar Schedule
Tuesday 8th April, 7:30 PM – Preparing for a Competition
Wednesday 23rd April, 7:30 PM – Competing at an Event – Advice & Tips
Wednesday 30th April, 7:30 PM – Guide to Backstepping
These sessions are a great opportunity to pick up expert advice, ask key questions, and share experiences with fellow drivers. Don’t miss out—join us and get set for a great season ahead!
– Open to all SCDA members – Zoom links will be emailed in advance.
– Non-members welcome! For details, contact the SCDA Secretary
We look forward to seeing you there!
Coxhill Results 16/3/25
Well done to all our competitors who took part in the Coxhill Spring event. You can find the details in this post. Thanks to Dave and Barbara-Anne Skett for organizing this lovely indoor event.
SCDA website updates
Following our AGM, four new directors have been appointed: Allison McCulloch (Secretary and Membership secretary), Mark Dougan, Cathy Duff and Morag Spence. We welcome them to the SCDA committee. Eileen Cornish, Louise McCutcheon and Susan Don have stepped down from the committee – we thank them for their hard work and support over many years.
Training events – change of date: the training at Auchenreoch originally planned for June 28th will now take place a day later, on Sunday June 29th.
Reference Section: you can now find a link to the latest BC class structure. Also, the Club Class progression rules have been revised for 2025. Again, full details in this section.
SCDA WhatsApp Groups
We’re launching a new initiative! We have set up several WhatsApp groups that you can join to allow you to discuss issues, and to ask questions to more experienced drivers. For more details see this post.
Event dates 2025
Dates for 2025 and the schedules have now been published. Please click on this link for all the details
Reminder about entry closing dates…
We have again asked event organisers to take a firm approach to closing dates. Please make sure that you enter all events this season before the closing date. To avoid disappointment, please enter as soon as you are able. Thank you!
2025 Memberships
Please join or renew as soon as you are able – the membership year runs from January 1st to December 31st. You can join online at the website membership page. Bank account details will be provided on the email confirmation. Please pay by BACS as soon as possible after signing up – it makes it easier for the Secretary and Treasurer to check the money is in the correct SCDA Account. You can also download the membership form here which contains all the information you need.
We’d like to welcome Allison McCulloch as our new membership secretary – Allison will also be taking over the SCDA secretary role with effect from the AGM (which takes place on Saturday 15th February at Blair Drummond Hall). If you have any questions, you can drop an email to Allison at membership@scda.co.uk.
Training update
Additional training days have been scheduled at Auchenreoch, by kind permission of Gayle & Andy Ledger. Bex March will be providing the training – it’s suitable for all levels. Click here for all the details. For more details of these and all our training events, you can drop Bex March an email at the SCDA training address: training@scda.co.uk
SCDA Points League
Our Points League is kindly sponsored by Gee Gee Rugwash. Please support the businesses who support our sport. Ian is happy to collect rugs at each event and return them to you at the following one.
We now have an Instagram account!! (thanks to Sanchia). We’d love pictures or video clips of you and your turnouts – here’s the link…
https://www.instagram.com/scottish_carriage_driving_scda/
News archive
Previous stories have now been archived, but are still available online. Click the link here and you’ll be able to read news from the past couple of years.