New Paragraph
New Paragraph
League and Tables report 2024
The Scurry Driving Association has 3 league tables to contend for. Your placings at each show earn you points, and what do points make, prizes!!
These points are collated to find our top drivers across the season.
The 3 leagues are:
League Table: every open driver competing across the season.
Mini Challenge Cup League: for ponies competing 10.2hh or under.
Novice League Table: for new drivers to the association.
Our winners for the 2024 competition season are as follows:
League Table Karen Morris with Pepsi and Shirley attaining 36 points across the season.
Mini Challenge Cup Sally Newell with her standard Shetlands Mild and Bitter, attaining 24 points across the season.
Novice League Table Lily Owen with her ponies Cookie and Custard attaining 36 points across the season.
Congratulations to all winners of the respective leagues, to all drivers who have participated with the association this year, have a well-earned winter off and we look forward to seeing you all next year and welcoming new members for 2025.
Full placings can be found on the league table page.
Newbury Show, National Championships, September 21st & 22nd September 2024
Biblical rain and thunderstorms greeted us for the national championships at Newbury showground. Small and large classes ran on the Saturday to give timings to indicate the running order for the Championships on Sunday. More rain on Sunday and a different course, a twisty course, which meant skill, precision and concentration was needed.
In the small class 8 competitors came forward.
The large class, 4 competitors came forward.
Small class was won by Alan Clarke with his pony pair Ant & Dec, going clear in a time of 72.80 seconds.
Large class won by Trevor Fairburn with his pony pair Stew & Dumplings, going clear in a time of 73.35 seconds.
Alan Clarke with his small ponies, Ant and Dec, crowned the National Champion 2024, going clear on an unbeatable time of 72.90 seconds, a textbook drive, showing skill and harmony between ponies, driver and groom.
Reserve National Champion 2024 was Trevor Fairburn with his large ponies Stew and Dumplings, having a very costly cone, adding 5 seconds and finishing on a penalty time of 78.28 seconds. Another great drive seen by this driver and ponies, who have been consistent all year long, being placed in the top placings for most of the year’s competitions.
Finally, that’s a rap for 2024, all competitions completed, and National Champion and National Reserve Champion crowned. Congratulations to every driver for a great 2024 season of competition, it has been exciting, we have put on great shows across the board and above all it has been fun. Looking forward to what 2025 has to offer.
If anyone would like to get involved on any capacity, whether you have a pair of ponies you would like to challenge or be part of the ring party and ground crew, or even sponsorship for any class or competition, then please get in touch with us, and I can assure a warm welcome.
Full placings and times and contact details can be found on the website or find us on Facebook and Instagram
Henley on Thames Show 14th September 2024
Sun is shining, lovely showground, with a good-sized main ring and we are all ready for a day of fun. Crowds gathered to cheer us on, and the commentator geared the audience up with bingo renditions, “here we go again, its number 10, and she is safely through”. Most of the drivers didn’t know whether to shout house or line as they crossed the finish line.
In the small class 9 competitors came forward
The large class, 5 competitors came forward.
Small class was won by Jessie Hazell with her pony pair Tar & Mac, going clear in a time of 83.31 seconds
Large class won by Trevor Fairburn with his pony pair Stew & Dumplings, putting on the pressure, even having a cone down and adding 5 seconds to his time, so a total finishing time of 87.55 seconds.
The large class was full of excitement with Karen Morris being eliminated and Lily Owen retiring.
The championship was won by Alan Clarke with his small ponies, Ant and Dec, going clear on an unbeatable time of 73.98 seconds, I am sure smoke was coming from the ponies’ hooves and they sprouted wings. Absolute awesome drive showing skills galore to the ever-excited crowd that had come to gather.
Reserve champion was John Cornell with his large ponies Bitter & Twisted, going clear in a time of 80.13 seconds
with third place going to Kim Scott with her small pony pair Smokey and the Bandit, going clear in a time of 81.71seconds
Qualification places for the National Championship show at Newbury showground 21st & 22nd September, were as follows.
Small Pony Class: Popeye and Olive driven by Sammy Fairburn
Full placings and times can be found on the results page.
A great day of racing in the sun with everyone gearing up for the National Championships
Next outing will see us at Newbury show for the National Championships 21st & 22nd September.
Alresford Show 7th September 2024
A fun day in Alresford for the scurry driving association, enjoying the scenery and hospitality of Hampshire. Crowds still flocked to the muddy showground following recent rain, but this did not dampen the spirits. Spectators got behind their favourite teams, cheering them on to the finish line. By then end of the day and the competition, following heavy going, everyone was tired and muddy, but this did not stop Karen Morris going for gold, achieving all the major wins across the board for this one-day competition.
In the small class 7 competitors came forward,
The large class, 3 competitors came forward.
Small class was won by Karen Morris with Pepsi and Shirley, going clear in a time of 60.06
Large class won by Karen Morris with Wing and a Prayer, putting on the pressure and going clear in a time of 61.33.
The championship was won by Karen Morris with her small ponies, Pepsi & Shirley, even having a cone down and finishing in a total time penalty of 58.81 seconds
Reserve champion was Karen Morris with her large ponies Wing & a Prayer, going clear in a time of 59.53 seconds
with third place going to Jessie Hazell with her small pony pair Tar & Mac, with a costly 5 seconds to add and finishing in a total time penalty of 62.17 seconds
Full placings and times can be found on the results page.
A fun, wet and muddy day enjoyed by all, time enough to get home, cleaning carriages, harnesses, clothes and ponies ready for next weekend at Henley on Thames.
Next outing will see us at Henley on Thames show 14th September.
Egham Royal Show 24th & 25th August 2024
This year saw wet weather conditions and wet, muddy driving ground conditions on the Saturday, meaning that the crowds were in poor attendance due to the abundance of rain. Saturday evening we had a fish and chip supper followed by a barn dance, drivers swapped their ponies for dancing partners and ho de hoed well into the night.
However Sunday morning we all woke to a glorious sunny day, which saw the crowds come pouring in, making the most of the sun on a bank holiday weekend. The ground dried up beautifully and the championship was fast and furious, with some excellent driving and entertainment for the crowd that had now gathered.
In the small class 8 competitors came forward with the return of Sally Newell and her Shetland ponies Mild and Bitter, the top 7 drivers in this class all going clear.
The large class, 3 competitors came forward.
Small class was won by Karen Morris with Pepsi and Shirley.
Large class won by our junior, novice driver, Lilly Owen, driving a superb round with her ponies Cookie & Custard.
The championship was won by Alan Clarke with his small ponies Ant & Dec, 3.26 seconds ahead of the reserve and winning the Neil Theobald Memorial Trophy.
Reserve champion was Karen Morris with her small ponies, Pepsi & Shirley, with third place going to Kim Scott with her small pony pair Smokey and the Bandit.
Full placings and times can be found on the results page.
A fun, crowd cheering competition, excellent driving in difficult ground conditions.
Next outing will see us heading a bit further south to Alresford Show 7th September 2024.
Monmouthshire Show 18 August 2024
This year saw the second year of the new show committee and the show was bigger and better, drawing in huge crowds, which gave for a great competition and atmosphere. Excellent commentary given, that really got the crowds behind every driver and pony combination, which meant the racing was epic with times getting quicker and quicker.
In the small class 6 competitors came forward with Alan Clarke trying a new pony pair combination.
The large class, 3 competitors came forward.
Small class was won by Karen Morris with Pepsi and Shirley, the top 3 competitors in this class all went clear with only 3.19 separating 1st and 3rd placings.
Large class won by Karen Morris with Wing and a Prayer, putting on the pressure, meant only Karen went clear with the other 2 competitors getting costly penalties.
The championship was won by Alan Clarke with his small ponies Ant & Dec, remember this was a newly put together combination for this show due to pony injury, surely a combination to watch for the remainder of the season.
Reserve champion was Karen Morris with her small ponies, Pepsi & Shirley, with third place going to Jessie Hazell with her small pony pair Tar & Mac.
Qualification places for the National Championship show at Newbury showground 21st & 22nd September, were as follows;
Small Pony Class: Sooty & Sweep driven by Adrian Alexander. Full placings and times can be found on the results page.
A fun, crowd cheering competition with thrills and spills.
Next outing will see us at Egham Royal Show 24 & 25 August.
The Game Fair, Blenheim Palace 26-28 July 2024
This year we were in the main ring at the new venue of Blenheim Palace, and what a beautiful, picturesque venue it is. We had 3 full on days of competition, accumulating in 6 classes to wow the crowds. We ran our usual class competitions and the championship but also put on some fun classes, including top score and run in reverse. Top score is an accumulator, taking your own line to gain the highest points and the reverse, is as it suggests, you start at the end gate. These classes saw a mix of small and large pony pairs competing against each other. Veronica Kelland with her small pony pair Track & Trace won both Top Score competitions and Jessie Hazzell with her small pony pair Tar & Mac won with the reverse competition. The reverse competition, more difficult than you may think, is the only class that saw eliminations from the whole weekend, with 2 competitors getting eliminated for losing their way. A packed-out Blenheim Palace, bathed in glorious sunshine all weekend enjoyed our sport and cheered for their favourites every day and every class. Next year the Game Fair returns to Ragley Hall in Warwickshire but we hope to return one day, back to Blenheim Palace, thank you for having us.
In the small class 7 competitors came forward with the return of Jessie Hazell and her ponies Tar & Mac.
The large class, 4 competitors came forward.
Small class was won by John Cornell with Bribery & Corruption, with the top 5 drivers all going clear.
Large class won by Trevor Fairburn with Stew & Dumpling.
The championship was won by Trevor Fairburn with his large ponies Stew & Dumpling, by just .30 of a second, reserve champion was Jessie Hazell with her small ponies, Tar & Mac, with third place going to John Cornell with his small pony pair Bribery & Corruption, due to a costly 5 points and misjudged cone.
Qualification places for the National Championship show at Newbury showground 21st & 22nd September, were as follows;
Small Pony Class: Tar & Mac driven by Jessie Hazell, although Jessie now needs to attend the remaining shows to be eligible to run in the championships at Newbury.
Full placings and times can be found on the results page.
A fun, crowd cheering competition with thrills and spills, great weather and beautiful venue. Next outing will see us at Monmouthshire Show 18th August.
Cranleigh Show 14th July 2024
A return after many many years to Cranleigh Show, and what a return it was. A lovely ring with a great driving course set up for us, lots of angles and cheeky little, short cuts, if you were brave enough to drive that line. A great atmosphere with a great crowd, large numbers of visitors and spectators. As the day progressed and the racing got faster, so did the commentator, whipping the crowd up, screaming their support. We even had a verbal ding a ling bell, which both the crowd and the competitors found amusing. The commentator even got to sit behind his favourite little ponies, Bribery and Corruption, driven by John Cornell in their lap of honour, after the presentations.
In the small class 5 competitors came forward with 3 large pony pairs running H/C
The large class, 3 competitors came forward with 5 small pony pairs running H/C
Small class was won by Kim Scott with Smokey & the Bandit, the only clear round in the class. Large class won by Karen Morris with Wing & a Prayer, again the only clear in the class, showing how costly those cones can be.
The championship was won by Karen Morris with her larger ponies Wing & a Prayer, reserve champion was also Kim Scott with her small ponies, Smokey & the Bandit, again the only 2 clear rounds in the championship, with third place going to Jon Cornell with his small pony pair Bribery & Corruption
Qualification places for the National Championship show at Newbury showground 21st & 22nd September, were as follows;
Small Pony Class: Track & Trace driven by Veronica Kelland
Large Pony Class: Bribery & Corruption driven by John Cornell
Full placings and times can be found on the results page.
An action-packed day of competition, drivers and ponies have a little break now until the next outing at The Game Fair in its new location, being held at Blenheim Palace this year. 3 days of racing fun, 26th - 28th July.
The Great Yorkshire Show 10th & 11th July 2024
The biggest show and biggest ring in the SDA calendar, the weather was not great, but we all avoided the rain when we were in the ring, although the weather did not dampen the spirits of all competitors or the crowd cheering us all on. Packed out to capacity the atmosphere was electric, and we put on a show, keeping everyone on the edge of their seats, with the times just getting quicker and quicker.
In the small class, 6 competitors came forward, with only 2 going clear, Kim Scott and Adrian Alexander, securing them a first and second place.
The large class, 5 competitors came forward, with only 2 going clear, Trevor Fairburn and Suzanne Dicketts, securing Trevor his first place and Suzanne a respectable 4th, after having a difficult drive with her ponies, Sugar and Spice, showing a masterclass in precision.
Small class was won by Kim Scott with Smokey & the Bandit.
Large class won by Trevor Fairburn with Stew & Dumplings.
The championship was won by Trevor Fairburn with his large pony pair Stew & Dumplings, 5 seconds faster than the reserve, reserve champion went to Karen Morris with her large ponies Wing and a Prayer, with third place going to Kim Scott with her small pony pair Smokey & the Bandit. The championship class split the group with 5 going clear and 6 knocking cones to gain costly time penalties.
Qualification places for the National Championship show at Newbury showground 21st & 22nd September, were as follows;
Small Pony Class: Smokey & the Bandit driven by Kim Scott
Large Pony Class: Sugar & Spice driven by Suzanne Dicketts
Full placings and times can be found on the results page.
A great and exciting class at a packed Great Yorkshire Show, speed and precision at its best. Just enough time to clean carriages and harness before our next show in 3 days time, at the other end of the M1, Cranleigh Show 14th July.
Sandringham Horse Driving Trials 28th & 29th June 2024
This was a first for the calendar this year, and what a venue and event it was. A complete festival of carriage driving showcasing many different driving disciplines, we were in the ring on the Friday and Saturday late afternoon, the sun was shining and we put on a thrilling show to those that came to watch.
In the small class, 6 competitors came forward
The large class, 6 competitors came forward.
Small class was won by Karen Morris with Pepsi & Shirley.
Large class won by Karen Morris with Wing & a Prayer.
The championship was won by Karen Morris with her larger ponies Wing and a Prayer, reserve champion went to Alan Clarke with his large ponies Pride and Joy, with third place going to Karen Morris with her small pony pair Pepsi & Shirley. Unfortunately for Suzanne Dicketts and driver error, going through a wrong combination in the box, saw her and Sugar & Spice eliminated.
Qualification places for the National Championship show at Newbury showground 21st & 22nd September, were as follows;
Small Pony Class: Bribery & Corruption driven by John Cornell
Large Pony Class: Stew & Dumplings driven by Trevor Fairburn
The scurry driving association would like to thank Mark Skippon, a farrier based in Norfolk for his generous sponsorship.
Full placings and times can be found on the results page.
A fun, crowd cheering competition showcasing everything that is great about the sport, enjoying the summer sun and stunning venue, by kind permission of the Royal Sandringham Estate. A great warm up event for our next outing in 10 days time, The Great Yorkshire Show, here we come.
Hertfordshire County Show 26th May 2024
This year we were in the main ring on the Sunday, the small pony class in the morning, the large pony class early afternoon, followed by the championship. Saturday had been dry but overnight brought torrential rain fall, leaving the main arena sticky and muddy in some places, although the sun came out and it remained dry for the duration of our competition, all the classes saw cones flying in every direction, meaning there were very few clear rounds to be had.
In the small class 8 competitors came forward with the introduction of 2 new pairs, Ant & Dec, driven by Alan Clarke and Sooty & Sweep driven by Adrian Alexander.
The large class, 5 competitors came forward.
Small class was won by Karen Morris with Pepsi & Shirley, Large class won by Karen Morris with Wing & a Prayer, the championship was won by Karen Morris with her larger ponies Wing and a Prayer, reserve champion was also Karen Morris with her small ponies, Pepsi & Shirley with third place going to Veronica Kelland with her small pony pair Track & Trace.
Qualification places for the National Championship show at Newbury showground 21st & 22nd September, were as follows;
Small Pony Class: Ant & Dec driven by Alan Clarke
Large Pony Class: Wing & a Prayer driven by Karen Morris
Sammy Fairburn won the best dressed groom rosette, sporting black and red, complimenting Suzanne Dicketts turnout and her grey Welsh B ponies, Sugar and Spice.
Full placings and times can be found on the results page.
A fun, crowd cheering competition with thrills and spills of cones and mud flying in every direction. A lot of cleaning ahead of us all before we meet again in June at Sandringham Horse Driving Trials.
Royal Welsh Smallholders show 18th & 19th May 2024
Our first competition of the year was in the main ring at the Royal Welsh Showground on the Saturday and the Sunday, the small pony class and the large pony class on the Saturday, followed by the championship on the Sunday. Storms were present throughout the weekend but whilst in the ring we had dry weather, however this large main ring certainly tested the fitness of all ponies competing.
In the small class 6 competitors came forward.
The large class, 5 competitors came forward.
Small class was won by Karen Morris with Pepsi & Shirley, all competitors in the small class ran clear, except John Cornell with his pony pair Bribery and Corruption, knocking 2 cones to add an additional 15 seconds to his overall time.
Large class won by Alan Clarke with Pride & Joy, competitors upped their speed in this class meaning there were no clear rounds and cones were being demolished throughout, costing valuable time penalties to all competitors.
The championship was won by Alan Clarke with his larger ponies Pride and Joy, reserve champion was Karen Morris with her large ponies, Wing & a Prayer with third place going to Karen Morris with her small pony pair Pepsi & Shirley. Unfortunately for Veronica Kelland in the championship she was eliminated for missing out gates, driving her small pony pair Track and Trace, whilst Sammy Fairburn’s new pony pairing in Popeye and Olive had to retire due to an incident in the main ring. Sammy and ponies all unharmed and thank you to everyone who helped.
Qualification places for the National Championship show at Newbury showground 21st & 22nd September, were as follows;
Small Pony Class: Pepsi & Shirley driven by Karen Morris
Large Pony Class: Pride & Joy driven by Alan Clarke
Full placings and times can be found on the results page.
A fun time was had by all, and it was great to be out competing again, blowing away the winter blues and the cobwebs, next stop Hertfordshire County show at the end of May.
