Louise Blanch – Para Carriage Driver
Pony: Mitchelcombe Cheetah (owned by James Blanch)
FEI Classification: Grade 1 | Disability: Cerebral Palsy
Current Goal: Working hard towards selection for the Para Carriage Driving World Championships, Lahden, Germany – September 2025
I was introduced to carriage driving by a friend when I found riding was becoming increasingly painful and had to step back from my International Para Dressage ambitions. The Somerset Levels Riding for Disabled Group taught me to drive and took me to a disabled drivers’ training event and my first competition — an RDA regional event. Milly and I won, and we went to the Nationals. I loved the fact that I could go faster than a walk, and once I was on the carriage, my disability was not a consideration.
My friend and mentor, Barbara Nadin, helped me find a pony for my children to ride — and along came Cheetah, a then 5-year-old, 12.1hh ride-and-drive Dartmoor Hill pony with attitude. Cheetah, now 14, has proven himself in pony club, on the hunting field, and even went to prom side saddle in the summer.
We started driving around the lanes near the farm and entered our first competition — a fun day at Fenix Carriages in 2017. It poured with rain all day, but that didn’t put us off. Since then, we’ve competed at both indoor and outdoor events, including the Certius Carriage Driving Festival.
In the 2024 season, we qualified for the British Carriage Driving National Championships in the Small Equine class and broke a couple of PBs in our dressage scores and marathon times. This winter season, I was lucky enough to drive Rosie, a pony who went to the Junior World Carriage Driving Championships with her owner Katy Cleeves. Rosie and I improved each time I drove her — and we even qualified for the Indoor Carriage Driving National Championships!
Driving different talented ponies as well as my own has helped me grow as a driver and given me transferable skills. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who’s trusted me with their ponies — and to the ponies themselves — for helping me build confidence in my abilities.
Driving Towards New Horizons with the Continued Support of the Para Equestrian Foundation: My Journey with George
As we look ahead to the summer season with longer days and new opportunities, I want to share another chapter in my driving journey — one that’s had a profound impact on me. Thanks to the Para Equestrian Foundation and their incredible support, I’ve had the chance to work with Schoolmaster Pony, George, under the expert guidance of Level Four Coach Kathryn Howard.
When I first began driving George, I could only manage 20 minutes. But with time, support, adaptations and determination, that has grown to 45 minutes of focused, confident driving. It’s a milestone that I’m proud of, and it’s reminded me what’s possible when people believe in you.
The bond George and I developed boosted my confidence enormously. The skills I gained from working with him have flowed straight into my driving with Cheetah — and this year, I qualified for the Indoor Carriage Driving Championships! It’s been a whirlwind, but one that’s been possible because of the incredible guidance and encouragement I’ve received.
Being an ambassador for the Para Equestrian Foundation means a lot to me. Cerebral Palsy affects how my body moves and how I process information — and driving can be a real challenge. But carriage driving has given me independence, freedom, and a sense of achievement that nothing else does. Working with George and Kathryn has been truly life-changing.
Straight from the driving seat — my message to others:
“As I look ahead to the summer season, I feel more confident and excited than ever. Working with George under Kathryn’s expert guidance has been truly life-changing, and to have this sponsored support through the foundation is so appreciated. Cerebral palsy presents daily challenges, affecting the way my body moves and how I process information, but carriage driving has given me freedom, independence, and a sense of achievement like nothing else.
This journey has taught me that my potential is limitless with the right support, training, and belief in myself. Now, instead of wondering if I can, I know that I can. I’m so grateful to Kathryn, the Para Equestrian Foundation, and everyone who has supported me. I can’t wait to take everything I’ve learned into the summer season with Cheetah and continue pushing my boundaries!”
Looking Ahead
This season, Cheetah and I are working hard to be good enough for selection for the Para World Carriage Driving Championships in Lahden, Germany, in September 2025. With selection events at Sandringham and Glebe, it’s an amazing opportunity — one I’m grabbing with my one working hand and the attitude that “I can,” and “you never know what you are capable of until you try.” I’m giving it my all.
I am so grateful to everyone who has supported me — within ‘Team Cheetah’ and beyond. I’ll do my very best, and hopefully, Cheetah and I will be on our way to Germany in September ready to prove that ‘we can’!
