Lowther Horse Driving Trials
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
2005 Lowther Horse Driving Trials Could be the Best Yet
Building on the huge success of last year’s Lowther Horse Driving Trials, which attracted record crowds of 60,000, organisers of this year’s show are expecting the three main driving events of dressage, cross-country, and cone driving to once again pull in the crowds and attract the best competitors and horses in the country to attend the three day event.
Friday August 5th will see horses and competitors competing in the dressage event, the ultimate test of skill. The event will be judged on the freedom, regularity of pace, impulsion, harmony, suppleness, ease of movement, and positioning of the horses, which will be judged on how they act as a team.
Drivers and horses will then have their stamina and speed put to the test on Saturday August 6th as they complete a rigorous cross-country obstacle course designed by none other than top course designer, George Prince. Last year’s event took place in blistering sunshine and competitors can expect this year’s world class course to be as equally demanding whatever the weather.
Finally, on the Sunday horses and drivers will be tested on their fitness and obedience when they will drive through cone obstacles after completing a marathon course designed by Carol Meredith and George Prince. Once again there will also be a cash prize for the winner of the additional 4-in hand Marathon time trial competition “the Lowther Challenge Time Competition”.
The Lowther Horse Driving Trials, jointly sponsored this year by The Edinburgh Woollen Mill Ltd., and Cumberland Ale, are amongst the most demanding and prestigious in the UK driving calendar and it is due to the continued quality of the event that carriage drivers and up to 60,000 spectators from across the country make the trip to Lowther year after year.
Notes to editors:
• This year is the 32nd Annual Lowther Horse Driving Trials and Country Fair
• The Lowther Horse Driving Trials started in April 1972, 2 years after Carriage Driving was introduced to the UK. HRH the Duke of Edinburgh was a competitor at the inaugural event and still competes every year alongside fellow ever present George Bowman.
• In the Main Arena at the Lowther Horse Driving Trials and Country Fair will be Lorenzo “The Flying Horseman”, a group of touring Masai Warriors, a daring display for the North West Fire Brigades’ Firestorm Parachute Team and The Essex Dog Display Team.
• The Country Fair will take place on Saturday August 6 and Sunday August 7.
• This year the shopping village will have around 350 stands including, the famous Cumbrian Food Hall, Made in Cumbria and Rural Crafts marquees.
