A Powys-based para carriage driver boosted her chances of being selected for the world championships later this year with an excellent third place finish in a recent trial event, writes Bronwen Beavan.

Emily Ham, from Brecon, produced good scores over all three phases at the International Horse Driving Trials held at the David Broome Event Centre in Chepstow.

She secured her podium spot behind senior para team drivers Mick Ward and Deborah Daniels.

This was Emily’s first selection event for Team GBR ahead of the Para Driving World Championships, which will take place from September 4-7 in Lähden, Germany.

Speaking about the recent trial event, Emily told the Brecon & Radnor Express: “There was a fantastic atmosphere with many entries in the international classes and the national classes running alongside each other.

“With the trials being a selection event for the world championships this September, the para drivers formed one of the biggest classes - with seven entries.”

Emily explained how hard each para driver has been training in order to be chosen to represent Team GBR.

“The world championships runs in alternate years,” she said. “So this will probably be my Welsh cob Alfie's last shot at taking part at this highest level of competition. He is 24 this year! He certainly is fit and strong but I should be realistic and not expect that intensity of performance two years on.

“Alfie powered round the marathon and there was plenty more in the tank. He is amazing for his age and a real professional when it comes to tackling quick turns and challenging manoeuvres in the wooden obstacles and through the water.”

Emily was pleased with how the pair competed but admitted there is always room for improvement.

“I really enjoyed the whole event and feel we are certainly on track in our preparations for the world championships,” she said. “This is the first event where I have used a presentation carriage with Alfie and I was so pleased with how it felt. There was so much to like.

“There is always something to improve and work on in the months ahead to achieve our true potential.”

Speaking about part of the event, Emily said: “The cone section was long and very complicated - having been devised and set up by the international delegate. There were off-set combinations of cones and tricky turnbacks - so double clear rounds were very rare. We went clear with just 1.7 time penalties to secure third place in our class. Well done Alfie!

“Driving is a real team effort and I'm very grateful to my backstepper Esther Rawlinson from Ross-on-Wye and everyone who helps. I'd also like to thank the Sports Foundation for the Disabled for their generous grant towards my event costs.”

Emily’s recent performance follows national success after she was crowned champion at the Indoor Carriage Driving National Championships in Lincolnshire.

She claimed victory in the class for drivers with disabilities at the three-day event earlier this year.

Emily and Alfie impressed the judges with a strong performance across all phases of the competition.

The pair placed second in the dressage and produced a faultless cones round, just three seconds off the optimum time. In the obstacle phase, they recorded the fastest times in all four rounds to secure the overall title.