While most local 17 year olds are looking for driving schools in Chester, Emma Jones is taking carriage driving lessons!
The teenager has taken up carriage driving after being inspired by Prince Phillip and says that there is nothing better than a galloping horse and four-wheeled carriage round a tricky course.
Emma started carriage driving as part of her Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award but was soon hooked and is now a member of the British Young Drivers Squad.
She said: “It’s a real white-knuckle sport. I don’t really get frightened but I think my mum does sometimes, but then she’s not in control, I am, so she has to depend on me.
“I have always ridden ponies and horses, but I did carriage driving just for the Duke of Edinburgh Award and it just went from there.
“I was lucky that a neighbour, Colin Walmsley, is chairman of Chester Horse Driving Trials Group, and he coached me.
“I only had to trot round the field for the award, but he said I was a natural so with the encouragement of him and his wife, Lynne, I’ve carried on.
“Now my dad, Harold, is on the club committee and my mum, Debbie, is on the carriage with me.”
Emma reached the national finals in Windsor in 2011 and is hoping to improve on her performance this year.
“It’s a very different world to the riding competitions where there is a lot of rivalry,” she said.
“Everyone is really helpful and will go out of their way for the beginners so there is a really good atmosphere.”
Howells School trustee Nicola Locke said: “We’re delighted that Emma is making such a mark in the sport and she really is a very good all-rounder and makes a big contribution to school life.”