Team driving sport into region's indoor venues

The pair are coming further north to spread the word about a sport which they see as competitive, fun and friendly. They have a starter event planned at the Ledston Equestrian Centre near Castleford for the last weekend in March.

It's a family affair for James and Sarah, shortly to be Mr and Mrs Binns, who do the organising on a voluntary basis. Sara's son, Joshua, drives at events and also organises the computer scoring system and the music. Her daughter, Andrea, is a backstepper, or groom, for James, controlling the braking.

James is a lorry driver and also runs an equestrian maintenance company

with Sara.

"For the starter event, people are welcome to come and not compete, just have a play," says Sara. "You don't have to dress up posh. We want people to come along and have fun. They'll find a very friendly atmosphere."

Prince Philip is the star outdoor carriage driver best known to the public. The indoor version, started by Dick Carey, a carriage and course builder, takes out the dressage phase, which requires very deep pockets on the part of the carriage and horse owner. It's replaced indoors by a less formal precision and paces phase.

There are two other phases – cones and obstacles. Each phase is scored separately and the winner of each class is the person with the lowest combined score.

It's a sport suitable for all abilities, from beginner to international drivers, from eight to 80, and from a Shetland pony to the biggest driving horse. They may pull singly or in teams of up to four. Carriage sizes vary. A new one will cost up to 7,000 but by shopping around second hand, they can be obtained for about 3,000.

If you already have a carriage, check that it has a track width no less than 125cm (on the rear wheels, if you have a four-wheeler). If it's outside that limit you may be allowed to enter either in club class, or hors concours – not being placed in the competition but still taking part.

If you have never driven at an indoor event before, you may be required to have your horse, harness and carriage checked for safety before competing.

The sport has grown to over 80 events in 16 regions. Competitors receive points during five or six events in each area and the best from each one go forward to the finals at the beginning of April which this year are being held at Keysoe in Bedfordshire.

The next indoor horse driving trials at Tickhill are on February 21. Information: www. indoorcarriage driving.co.uk