Based in the mighty Waikato near Te Awamutu, the Jennifer Carew Carriage Driving team are passionate about the sport of carriage driving. The team consists of myself, Jennifer, my husband Lindsey, my Dad Lloyd, and a wide range of great friends. Stephanie from Taranaki who back steps for me, Kathie from the Waikato, who I would be lost without, and Kathryn and Evan, also from Te Awamutu, who are my saviors when needing a few extra hands to work with youngstock. There are many other local drivers around the Te Awamutu area - of whom all form part of the carriage driving family in the Waikato that we are privileged to share our sport with. Carriage Driving may be an individual sport but it takes a community to succeed. If you would like more information about carriage driving in the Waikato, look up WHDVS on facebook. 

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The four legged team include Henry (Section C Welsh Cob), Beau (Part Bred Welsh Pony), Lockie (Section A Welsh Pony), and Lucy (Section C Welsh Cob), and we can never forget about Luna, the Chihuahua and Charlie the Tank, I mean, Jack Russell.

 

Having grown up in a 'horsey' family, I started riding at an early age, and transitioned to driving in my teenage years. Grandad had racehorses, most of the family rode, and I had the most amazing childhood, enjoying all the usual 'just a kid and her pony' things, like pony club, camps, and eventually dressage, round the ring, hunting, showhunter, showjumping and eventing.

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My Mum, Yvonne, introduced the 'Weal' family to carriage driving with Ascot Lilly, a 11.2hh Welsh pony that was the beginning of a very long journey into the sport. Lily was near on 24 when I went on to drive her at the National Championships and was privileged to be  the youngest driver to ever win a national CDT championship title.

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Mum sadly lost her battle to Cancer in August 2022, leaving behind a legacy of carriage driving success.  Considered one of the best drivers across New Zealand and very well known in Australia, Yvonne was known for being a very skilled driver, with amazing results across many disciplines, but in particular in CDT events.

Mums dressage scores won her many dressage championships, and her courage across country saw her win many CDT Titles, and me also refusing to back step for her, as she was so quick in the obstacles, that she lost her back step on more then one occasion.

One of the biggest reasons for establishing the Jennifer Carew Carriage Driving brand is to continue Mums legacy in this sport, and to share the amazing experiences that I have had, with as many others that are keen to 'give it a go'. I am incredibly proud of my families contribution to the sport here in New Zealand, and hope that we are around helping others for a while yet. 

 

I have been lucky enough to be able to go over and drive in Australia for New Zealand on multiple occasions, a privilege and a honour that is not lost on me. 

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​In 2022 I was selected to become a Zilco Ambassador and the relationship with Zilco has continued to grow. 

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I am available for Coaching and Instruction, Harness Fitting and always happy to help get new drivers up and going. I am a qualified Driven Dressage Judge, Show Judge, President of Ground Jury (CDT),  Technical Delegate (CDT), Marathon and Cones Course Designer and Builder, and Cones Judge. I am the President of the Local Carriage Driving Club, the WHDVS (Waikato Horse Drawn Vehicle Society) and the national driving body, the NZCDS (New Zealand Carriage Driving Society). 

 

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