Driving to Success with Andrew Hamilton-Rhodes

Andrew & Brookeborough Duke. Image by E S Photography

When it comes to carriage driving, Andrew Hamilton Rhodes is a man on a mission.  Driven to success, Andrew is also driven to turn his horses and ponies out to the highest standard and is sponsored by Supreme Products, the leaders in show preparation products.

With five horses to compete through 2013, the year looks set to be a busy one for leading carriage driver, Andrew Hamilton-Rhodes.

His team include the multi-award-winning hackney Brookeborough Duke; his other hackney, Heartland Red Rocket; a Welsh Section D called Trixies Princess Eirwen, Brookfield Mark of Success in the hackney wagon classes and novice hackney Berkeley Rhodes Princess.

With The Duke, Andrew has been the National Hackney Type Champion with both the British Driving Society and the Hackney Horse Society on many occasions, and this great partnership has also won the Osborne Supreme National BDS Championship. 

Now 14-years-old The Duke has been a big winner throughout his career taking most major championships in his stride, with top marks for his turnout also awarded at the Horse of the Year Show.

Says Andrew: “Making sure my horses and ponies look immaculate when in the competition arena is very important to me and with help from Supreme Products I really have the best opportunity to turn my horses and ponies out to a winning level.”

Here we find out more about this talented carriage driver:

Age:               45-years-old

Based:           Gloucestershire

Current competition horses, tell us about them:

Brookeborough Duke, Hackney 14 years.   

Berkeley Rhodes Princess, Novice Hackney 5 years.

Brookfield Mark Of Success, Hackney 14 years

Heartland Red Rocket, Hackney 7 years

Trixies Princess Irwin, Welsh Section D Cob, 4 years.

                

Major achievements:

British Driving Society National Supreme Champion

Hackney Horse Society National Supreme Champion

 Do you have any pets?   Three Lakeland Terriers, Socs, Doreen & Bertie

Do you play or follow any other sports?    I enjoy watching Eventing and Show Jumping, they are both very exciting sports.

Who is your main sponsor? Supreme Products, their range of turnout products is fantastic, extremely comprehensive and make a huge difference, I wouldn’t be without them.

Why did you choose carriage driving as your particular discipline? It gives me a massive buzz and I really enjoy showing horses and turning them out to the highest standard.

What was your first major win?  The Concours d’Elegance at Burghley in a class of 32 entries.

Is there a major title that you would like to win?   It would have to be the Horse of the Year Show – I have been reserve a few times, so to win would be the icing on the cake.

What is your favourite TV show/programmes?  Friends is always good for a laugh and Downton Abbey is just brilliant.

Do you have a favourite show or event?  The Royal Cornwall Show is a great event that I have always enjoyed.

Where do you prefer to spend your holidays?    I just love competing so would have to say on the showgrounds.

What kind of music do you like to listen to?  I like lots of different styles so my taste is very varied and mixed

Do you have a favourite singer/band?  Barbara Streisand

What is the last book you read?   Fifty Shades of Grey

What is your favourite meal and drink?  Chinese and Gin

How do you wind down after a competition?   With a drink

Do you get any social time, and if so, what do you prefer to do?   Eating out

Do you have a favourite piece of tack or equipment that you could not live without?    Lawton Show Phaeton

For further information call Supreme Products on 01377 229050 or visit www.supremeproducts.co.uk

With special thanks to E S Photography for provision of images.  Visit www.esphotography.co.uk for more information and to view the image library.