Carriage Driving has been an important part of RDA since 1975 and there are now around 60 groups involved, giving opportunities to over 1000 drivers.
RDA Carriage Driving is open to all members of RDA and is particularly enjoyed by people who can no longer ride due to disability, or who prefer a different kind of equine challenge.
Here you will find all the information you need for your Carriage Driving Group.
Stella Hancock
The Stella Hancock Training grants were established to support Carriage Driving Groups in providing essential training for their volunteers. This training enhances the skills of volunteers, benefiting all participants in the program.
Stella Hancock, alongside her husband Ron, founded the first RDA carriage driving section in 1976 as part of the West Horsley RDA Group. Under Stella’s leadership, the group became a trailblazer in offering tailored carriage driving experiences. Following Stella’s untimely passing in 1988, the driving group became independent in 1987 and was renamed the Stella Hancock Group in her honour.
Stella’s legacy endures through her knowledge, vision, and unwavering enthusiasm, which have enriched countless individuals by providing inclusive carriage driving opportunities. These grants are funded through the Stella Hancock Designated Fund and offer grants of up to £250.
Criteria for applications:
- Applications are open exclusively to RDA Carriage Driving Groups; submissions from individuals within RDA will not be accepted.
- Funds must be allocated to providing essential training for volunteers, coaches or equines within the Group.
- The proposed trainer must be approved by RDA National Office and may either be affiliated with RDA or an external specialist.
- Funding is available only for future training activities. Applications for training that has already started or been completed will not be considered.
- Groups are eligible to apply for funding up to a maximum of £250.
- Groups may submit one application per financial year. If an application has been made since 1 April 2025, please wait until 1 April 2026, before applying again.
Stella Hancock Application Form 2025
Terms & Conditions:
- Applications will be open quarterly throughout the financial year, with a decision made within 28 days of the closing date for applications. Applications must be submitted within the specified dates. Any submissions received outside of this timeframe will not be considered:
1st Quarter: 1 April 2025 – 30 April 2025
2nd Quarter: 1 July 2025 – 31 July 2025
3rd Quarter: 1 October 2025 – 31 October 2025
4th Quarter: 1 February 2026 – 28 February 2026
- If application is approved, the grant will be paid directly to the Carriage Driving Group. The Group are responsible for making payment to the trainer.
- The specific amount of the grant will be outlined in the official grant offer letter sent to the applicant by the Coaching Team at RDA National Office.
- Applicants should note that all training must be completed within 6 months of a successful application.
- Within 30 days of the completion of training the following forms must be submitted, forms provided after this date without prior arrangement will not be processed for payment.
- Grant Invoices – Training invoices/receipts are to be attached to this form.
- Grant Report – groups are required to submit the detail of the outcomes of the training (benefits and the impact on the Group).
If the required post-training report is not submitted, the Group will not be permitted to apply for future Stella Hancock grants from RDA.
T&Cs will be sent to any successful applicants with all other relevant documentation. Any non-compliance of the above will result in the grant not being paid or if a group fail to notify of any postponement, we reserve the right to withdraw the funding.
Endurance in Carriage Driving
Thank you to Forde Abbey Carriage Driving Group for trialing Carriage Driving Endurance – we hope that many groups will add it to the variety of activities that they already offer to their participants. Information packs and certificates are on the Group Orders page. Certificates are available in 1km, 2km, 3km, 5km, 10km and 15km.
Carriage Driving Weight Chart and Guidelines
Carriage Driving weight chart and guidelines are now available on the RDA Group Orders website.
