Stella Hancock Driving Group RDA

Stella Hancock Driving Group RDA We are part of RDA offering carriage driving to disabled people, meeting at Merrist Wood campus every Wednesday morning from March to November.All welcome.

CHARITY NO: 1074118
The Stella Hancock Driving Group was the first RDA carriage driving group with ponies, started in 1976 and operating at first from Stella’s own farm at West Horsley. It continued there for several years after her untimely death in 1988. We now operate from Merrist Wood Campus on Wednesday mornings. We are a self-funding group and apply for grants whenever possible, however the costs of running the group are forever escalating.

Some photos from yesterday.
20/08/2026

Some photos from yesterday.

20/08/2026

The latest news, sport, weather and features from the West of England.

Dear Member,Please excuse the 'Mail All' but driving is cancelled on this coming Wednesday 12th August.However, the same...
09/08/2026

Dear Member,
Please excuse the 'Mail All' but driving is cancelled on this coming Wednesday 12th August.

However, the same group of drivers will be moved to 19th August (see below), as their last two drives have been cancelled. There may be a bit of juggling of volunteers and I will send out a full list in due course.

19th August Drivers and equines - drivers please let me know ASAP if you cannot attend 19th August!

Possible social/training 12th August 9-11 am at MW
We are wondering if anyone - drivers, carers, volunteers etc. would be interested in an early social without ponies?
Do bring snacks!
We would aim to make the training fun as well as useful.

Please could you let me (Jacki) know by 6 pm on Monday evening if you would like to attend social/training so that we can make arrangements?

Hoping that you all find some respite in the heat, best wishes,
Jacki

URGENTDear All As temperatures are forecast to rise to 32 degrees this coming Wednesday the 29th, it is felt that it wi...
27/07/2026

URGENT

Dear All

As temperatures are forecast to rise to 32 degrees this coming Wednesday the 29th, it is felt that it will be just too hot for everyone - humans and horses.

So, it has been decided to cancel driving.

I hope everyone will understand the reason for the cancellation.

With best wishes

Elspeth Rijbroek – Group Secretary

What a joy it was to be back at Merrist Wood for our driving sessions.Though we will miss our drives at Chiddingfold.Her...
19/07/2026

What a joy it was to be back at Merrist Wood for our driving sessions.
Though we will miss our drives at Chiddingfold.
Here are some photos from Wednesday (15th).

Photos from Hartpury (via Jacki):-
10/07/2026

Photos from Hartpury (via Jacki):-

This from Gemma:-Not sure if it has been made known for many people, but the results are as follows: Open class - Stacey...
10/07/2026

This from Gemma:-
Not sure if it has been made known for many people, but the results are as follows:
Open class - Stacey 1st
Novice class - Gemma 1st
Teddy 2nd

WELL DONE!

This from Jacki (eMail):-Dear Member,A reminder that we have no driving this week, Wednesday 8th July, as we are prepari...
07/07/2026

This from Jacki (eMail):-
Dear Member,
A reminder that we have no driving this week, Wednesday 8th July, as we are preparing for Nat Champs at Hartpury.
Clare, Stacey, Lisa, Lynne and I are meeting on Wednesday morning at Dan's to bath Frankie and to clean his carriage.

Helen and Dave's daughters will be bathing Mario on Tuesday, so no helpers are needed there.

Thank you to those of you who have sent me your availability, I still have a few more drivers and volunteers to hear from before putting rotas together starting 15th July back at Merrist Wood. I will be in touch again soon.

Do take care in this heat,
Jacki

Good luck to all our competitors at the Nationals this Friday.
How to watch details are on this page:-

Over the weekend, RDA participants will show off their incredible skills in lots of RDA’s disciplines like Showing, Dressage and Carriage Driving.

We had our BBQ on Wednesday (first July), here are some photos.Apologies if I missed you.
03/07/2026

We had our BBQ on Wednesday (first July), here are some photos.
Apologies if I missed you.

Address

Merrist Wood Campus
Guildford

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Stella Hancock Driving Group RDA posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category