A group of dedicated carriage drivers met at Tom Waite’s property, Diamond Fields Road, Mittagong in 1976 to discuss the idea of forming a carriage driving club, in attendance were Frank Holborrow, Mrs Patience Talouse, Tom & Richard Tranter & Robyn Maloney. With the help of other interested drivers: Clarrie & Queenie Worner, Noel & Elvie Smith, Albert Angel, Laurel & Sid Blamire & Ken Davidson the Southern Highlands Horse Drawn Vehicle Club was formed.
There were twenty five members in attendance at the first meeting, held on the 8th August 1979 at Noel & Elvie Smith’s Saddlery Shop, 88 Hume Highway, Mittagong, the Illawarra Horse Drawn Vehicle Club Constitution was used as a guideline to form the clubs own constitution, the meeting was Chaired by Mr Frank Crytte. The first Committee were elected, Frank Holborrow (President) Noel Smith (Vice President) Lenore Holborrow (Secretary) Joanne Doherty (Treasurer) Mark Crytte (Public Relations Officer) & Patience Talouse, Albert Angel, Pat Leftwich & Bill Eastbrook. (Committee Members) Mr Don Roberts was the Club Patron. The annual membership fee was set at $10 for a family or single.
The Southern Highlands Horse Drawn Vehicle Club Inc. changed its name to the Southern Highlands Carriage Club Inc. in 2002.
We are a very active and social club, every year we hold combined driving competitions, dressage & cones competitions, games days, pleasure drives, orienteering drives and training days. Our club members are often invited to give driving displays at local events including the Bong Bong Picnic Races, Brigadoon at Bundanoon and the Australia Day Festival in Berrima, these demonstrations, by our beautifully presented drivers, horses & carriages always create great interest and admiration from spectators.
If you are interested in learning more about carriage driving please contact our Secretary by email or come along and watch some of our events!
Carriage Driving is great fun for all the family, a full list of events can be found on our calendar page.
