Carriage Driving Awards Categories

We are delighted to announce this year we have introduced an exciting new category, Best International Carriage Driving Club/Association of the Year. Introducing this new category means the Awards are able to recognise more great stories from individuals. Alongside the new categories we have also made a few changes to entry criteria, to expand the awards, meaning there will be an award that is right for you!

Thanks to the support of our sponsors, entry is free to all categories.

This year anyone wishing to enter the awards will be required to submit their entry via our online awards portal only. Postal or emailed entries will not be accepted.
For any awards related queries please contact awardsteam@markallengroup.com.


There are 13 categories open to enter before the deadline on Friday 8th October 2021.

Good Luck

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British Rare Breed Horse/Pony of the Year

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Outstanding Achievement Award

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Young Sports Personality of the Year

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Groom/Backstepper of the Year

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Rescue Horse/Pony of the Year

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Driving for the Disabled Group of the Year

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Event Organiser of the Year

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Business of the Year

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Grassroots Driver of the Year

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Volunteer of the Year

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Best Traditional Turnout of the Year

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Best Non-Traditional Turnout of the Year

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NEW Best International Carriage Driving Club/Association of the Year

British Rare Breed Horse/Pony of the Year

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This award aims to highlight the importance of our rare driving horse and pony breeds and at the same time to celebrate their heritage and raise awareness of their plight, while preserving their future through our carriage driving sport. Open to any individual horse or pony on the current Rare Breed Survival Trust Endangered Species list.

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Outstanding Achievement Award

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Is presented to a person, team or organisation who has made a significant contribution to the sport of carriage driving. Their achievements will have made an important impact on the sport over a period of time or through a one off action and will continue to be an asset to the community for many years to come. It rewards those who go over and above all expectations and that we are proud to have within the carriage driving community. Winners will enter the Carriage Driving ‘Hall of Fame’ in celebration of excellence in the sport of carriage driving.

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Young Sports Personality of the Year

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This award will be presented to an individual, professional or amateur, in any sphere of carriage driving who has made a significant contribution to sport as a result of individual or team achievement. Additional merit will be awarded where their carriage driving activities have been used in a community sense or to place the sport on a national/international platform. The nominee must be 25 or younger on 1st October 2021.

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Groom/Backstepper of the Year

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An individual who has shown outstanding dedication to their position of groom or backstepper in any capacity whether that be for a singles, pairs, tandem or team driver in any carriage driving sphere. The main criteria is that they are held in the highest esteem and provide a service that is invariably understated but essential to the success of the partnership that make up a carriage driving turnout.

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Rescue Horse/Pony of the Year

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Originating from an equine rescue charity, any equine which has made the most progress in its carriage driving journey and has enhanced the life of its owner, or which has been used to enhance the lives of a community it may serve.

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Driving for the Disabled Group of the Year

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Disabled driving is unique in that it allows and opens the sport to people enjoy the sport of carriage driving. We will be looking for the Group which has gone above and beyond its remit, and above all one which has offered a fun and informative environment to allow disabled drivers to enjoy their sport to their fullest capacity.

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Event Organiser of the Year

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Planning a successful event requires dedication, professionalism and patience alongside organisational and management skills with the ability to keep calm under pressure. It often involves weeks and months of hard work and long hours in the lead up to an event. This award recognises the time and commitment it takes to organise and run a successful and memorable carriage driving event. This is open to individuals who have organised either a long term or single event.

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Business of the Year

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From film, wedding, funeral and tourism services through to harness, carriage, and show wear manufacturers, makers and suppliers. We are looking for a company or individual who has been trading for three or more years and can demonstrate unsurpassed service, financial success, staff engagement and growth with identifiable customer satisfaction and a sustainable business plan.

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Grassroots Driver of the Year

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This category is open people who are new to carriage driving in any driving discipline regardless of age, and have been driving for under 3 years. It recognises improvement, dedication and enthusiasm for carriage driving at club, local or regional level.

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Volunteer of the Year

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Volunteers are essential to the running of all carriage driving events and shows, and freely give their time so that others can enjoy their hobby or sport. This award is to honour the input that volunteers make in the carriage driving world.

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Best Traditional Turnout of the Year

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This award will be presented to the traditional turnout which is, in the opinion of the judges, one which is an excellent representation of an original vehicle of its age or a vehicle which has been created to using authentic or traditional methods. The judges will be considering the whole turnout in their decision including carriage, whip, groom, harness, harness horse and whip and groom’s attire. The turnout doesn’t necessarily have to be one which was seen in the final line-up at a show or competition, and may be a single, or multiple turnout, but it will be one which is considered to be of the highest calibre of its kind, worthy of special recognition.

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Best Non-Traditional Turnout of the Year

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Awarded to a non-traditional turnout, otherwise known as an exercise vehicle, marathon, or modern vehicle. It should be one which follows modern design, and may be used for competition, showing, or at events at any level.

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NEW Best International Carriage Driving Club/Association of the Year

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This award is new to 2021 and we want to recognise the many driving clubs and groups across the world who promote and support carriage driving. The organisation can be long established or a newly formed club. Entries are welcome from any of the driving disciplines based outside the UK. We want to hear how your club engages with its members. Please tell us about carriage driving events and shows you organise, alongside training and guidance, engagement and support for young and developing drivers and how you promote the sport in your country.

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