PARA Carriage Driving World Championships - Germany 2025

“No One Hit Wonder” for our Aberdeenshire lassie!!

Now Aiming to be part of the British Para Carriage Driving Squad in the World Para Championships in

Germany 2025.

We are fundraising to assist in covering costs to train and achieve Jayne’s Next goal, to compete as part of the British Para Carriage Driving Team in The Para World Championships in Germany September 2025.

A little bit about Jayne and Jack

My name is Jayne McGarvie and I am a Registered part-time Veterinary Nurse in Aberdeenshire.

Eight years ago, when I was 29, I had a serious car accident that resulted in a left sided stroke and brain injury. Following three months of hospital care and rehabilitation, I was able to return home and continue my recovery with the help of the fantastic specialists and my family and friends. I am very grateful to all of them and especially the amazing NHS team who have helped me with my long, challenging rehabilitation and together we continue to make improvements.

From having to relearn to walk and talk, I never even dreamt that I’d be back riding again, let alone learning to carriage drive and now aiming to qualify for the GB Para Team!

It took a long time for me to find my amazing Gypsy Cob, Scrumpy Jack but he was worth the wait, and we make a great team. We enjoy training and competing in ridden and carriage driving events locally. I attend the Riding for Disabled (RDA), Garioch Carriage Driving Group at Old Rayne, Aberdeenshire and progressed in 2019 to compete at the RDA National Championships in England and we were delighted to be placed 3rd in our class.

We have progressed from RDA Competitions. Fast tracked to competing at National and an International World Championship in Exloo in the Netherlands. now I am a world Ranked Para Carriage Driver.

2023 was an amazing year: - In May I found myself battling to earn my place on the GBR Squad after the yard I trained and kept Scrumpy Jack came down with a Bio security issue that grounded all and dashed my hopes for

training and aiming for the World Championships, Exloo, Netherlands! I was

devastated and panicking that I was letting those that had supported me and helping

me to fundraise.

Thankfully, Julie Camm - the FEI PARA Chef d’Equipe - came to my rescue and bravely offered me to loan her pony Pandoras Diplomat - Matt to his friends - to drive at Hopetoun’s National 4-day Event, Edinburgh.

There is not enough space or time for my reader to do this section justice but all I

can say was the GB POD Team with Robert, Julie and my new World class Back

stepper Lucy Scott, not to forget the legend that is Matt … they held my hand and

willed me through that first ever major event of mine. I would never have even

entered if it was not for their unending advice and support.

My First ever adventure to an International FEI Para Carriage Driving World

Championships, Exloo in the Netherlands 2023 arrived. Such an amazing experience, with out team GB POD I would never have got where I am or to any event, let alone an international one! The event was astounding. All the Para competitors from all over the world, to mingle and chat to them was quite an honour. I was quite in awe of all the competitors and to add an extra layer, we were sharing the event with the teams of four “World Horse Teams championships” so got to see few famous faces.

My highlight was the Water Obstacle. I was the fastest Para through that. I remember flying in and the rush of the water was deafening but Lucy’s voice ringing through loud and clear giving me the confidence to open Matt up.

My advice for aspiring RDA drivers is to always accept the help offered.

Never say “I can’t do that” if there is a will there is a way. You are braver than you

know.

I put my entire confidence in the GB POD Team. They never appeared to waiver

In front of me which gave me mountains of confidence. Robert would often say, in his

way at the beginning of our acquaintance and coaching, to stop apologising and

putting myself down with negative thoughts and phrases as it would create negative

out comes. I learned to put positivity in to get the best out of what I could do.

I look forward to the future and hope to encourage and assist to coach those that

want. Especially in my area of Aberdeenshire. To then be passed on to Robert and

the GB POD Team. I hope I can continue to train to be part of the GBR PARA Squad

for Germany 2025.

Community impact & giving back

Carriage Driving has been a part of RDA since 1975 and is particularly useful for people unable to ride due to their disability. It also helps to improve coordination and balance and gives the disabled driver a wonderful sense of freedom, being out in the open air with a pony. RDA participants are encouraged to compete or take part in RDA competitions including classes like showing, dressage and obstacle.

I was the first RDA Scottish member to drive and ride their own horse at a National Championship and it was made possible with the right support & guidance from those within my local RDA Group.

Using my experience, I intend to share my knowledge and encourage anyone who is interested in Para Carriage Driving by helping to bring awareness about the pathways through RDA to Para. Currently I am aiming to complete my UKCC Assistant Coaching Certificate and my BHS Stage 1 and would like to further my education so I can coach others.

I would especially like to inspire those who think themselves unable to proceed or volunteer in the sport.

Why we are crowdfunding?

Sponsorship and donations would enable myself to travel across Britain for the essential training and the selection process as well as getting us to the Para world Championships in Germany and home again.

How we will spend the money raised?

We estimate that it will cost approximately £5,000 to get to qualifying competitions around Britain, before main event, The World Championships in Germany and back in August 2025.

Also Funding for transport in the EU will also be required. I will need travel - trains, planes and automobiles - as well accommodation. We will also need to have a plan B in place in case of unforeseen circumstances or illness, which could mean we have to have emergency pickups, stabling, etc.

How you can help us to succeed in our endeavours?

Any contribution towards this will be very welcome. All donations will be acknowledged and can be made via this page.

Please spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.

Progress updates will be made using social media, i.e. Facebook.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

I hope that our efforts will provide us with some sporting cheer to enjoy in 2025.

Yours sincerely

Jayne McGarvie.

GB POD Training Group* = A cost effective, sustainable training and preparation initiative for Carriage Drivers