Carriage driving competitions in New Zealand offer a wonderful mix of tradition, skill, and excitement. Drivers and their horses compete across a range of events: Dressage, from the basics through to advanced movements, showcasing harmony and precision; Cones, our version of showjumping, where teams weave through 20 sets of cones just 20cm wider than the carriage; and the Marathon, an action-packed endurance phase covering around 16km with 5–7 obstacles driven at speed. Other competitions include Show Classes, where turnout and presentation shine, and Precision Driving, which tests accuracy and control to the highest standard. Together, these events highlight the beauty of carriage driving, offering both competitors and spectators a sport that is elegant, challenging, and thrilling to watch.
Karen Kendal with Chico
Chico is a 13 year old Timor/Mini X. I have had him since he was 3 years old. At 6, I broke him into carriage & we both have loved the sport since.
Karyn Mclachlan. With William of Orange (aka Bill)
For the past nine years, Bill and I have been a proud partnership in carriage driving, sharing the excitement, discipline, and joy that this sport brings. Together, we’ve represented carriage driving at Equifest four times, where it has been an honour to showcase the beauty and thrill of our sport to wider audiences. Carriage driving is more than just competition—it’s about connection, teamwork, and keeping a wonderful tradition alive. I love being able to demonstrate what carriage driving is all about and, most importantly, to encourage new members to give it a go.
Kathie Shepard and Levi
Misty Lee Cefiro or Little Levi as he is affectionately known is a big hearted horse in a small body. A section A purebred welsh pony he turns 12 years old on October 16th and is 111.5cm tall. He has been a carriage pony for around 7 years, initially starting out with small events, then progressing to the main carriage driving competitions such as CDT’s where he has won a North Island Championship for his class on several occasions. Levi loves his job, he is very quick and zippy but most of all he is very cute. This will be the third time Kathie and Levi have participated in the Equifest display.
Mandy Moon. Pony pair. Nilloh and Basil
Groom: Cindy Tinner
Mandy Moon and Cindy are very happy to be at equifest again this year with her pair of welsh ponies Nilloh and Basil. Whilst Mandy has been driving for over 11 years these ponies have only been competing for 3 years. Mandy works full time with horses and when not driving any one of her 12 horses she works as an equine osteopath and Trust technique practitioner. She is passionate about working with horses in a mutually beneficial way.
Mandy’s backstepper Cindy Timmer is no stranger to carriage driving, she has been navigator and backstepper for many years. Cindy has the privilege of being show secretary to many international carriage driving events including the Royal Windsor Show and many FEI World and European Championships. And has just returned from Lahden world paradriving and european 4 in hand championships Whilst she is currently working at Takapoto Estate in Cambridge she still manages to pop up to Auckland to drive with Mandy.
Jennifer Carew, and pony pair Henry and Beau
Jennifer is based in Te Awamutu with her team of welsh cobs and ponies. Having been involved in a driving family, Jennifer first started competing with carriage driving as a 7 year old. Over 30 years later, Jennifer is still as busy with carriage driving as ever. Jennifer is the current Waikato Driving Club president and the New Zealand Carriage Driving Society President. Jennifer has competed successfully across the ditch in Australia and has ambitions of competing at the world pony pair championships In Europe.
Henry and Beau are in their 4th season together as a pair. Henry’s registered name is Willowview Express, he’s a Section C Welsh Cob, and is 14. Beaus registered name is Little Beau of Barnsley and he’s a part bred welsh pony and is 16.
Henry and Beau won the open multiple championship at the NZCDS CDT champs for the third time in April – Henry is a Advanced dressage specialist as a single, and Beau excels in the marathon phase. Both ponies are driven extensively as singles as well as the pair. Last season Henry took out the season prize for versatility and overall points from the NZ welsh Society. Henry has had success under saddle as well as in harness, and subject to rider availability, is hoping to be competing in the pony saddle hunter ring as well as in harness this season.
Ana Golding with Miniature Nugget
Nugget is a miniature horse only 8hh -10yrs old chestnut with flaxen mane and tail. Originally purchased to be a paddock mate, however nuggets zest for life encouraged Ana to train her to carriage. She has been in carriage for 3 years and regularly attends competitions that she loves
Being a real crowd pleaser Nugget is also a regular on stage - performing with the Kapiti Vaulters.
Carol-Ann Perfect. Pony Drayton Troubadour (aka Cheeky)
Cheeky is 21 (today, on the 17th), and has been a harness pony since he was 7. I've had him 4 and a half years, and he's my first harness pony. We do Dressage, Combined Driving and scurry. Outside of driving, we do CTR, working equitation and trek with friends.
