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Horseytalk.net Special Interview
with Elosie Kennett
Hi. I'm Eloise Kennett, I'm 23, just got my Heavy Goods
Vehicle driving licence. Yes Heavy Goods Vehicle driving
licence. Which means I'm now able to drive one of those massive
34-ton eight wheel lorries.
I had to get a licence because I didn't have a driving
test before 1997. I thought, "Why get a middle goods
vehicle licence, which means I could drive anything up to
7 ½ tons"
I thought, "Why get a middle goods vehicle licence,
which means I could drive anything up to 7 ½ tons,
when I could get a Heavy Goods Vehicle licence. Now I can
drive any size horsebox anywhere."
I live in Herstmonceux, East Sussex, I work at Polegate
Saddlery in Polegate. I first started riding when I was three-years-old.
We had some land so Mum went out and bought me this Dun
Welsh show pony, Pepper. My aunt could ride. But not my Mum
although she has since learnt to ride.
After Pepper came other ponies. My favourite was Ricky a
Welsh Cob. I got him in 1998 when he was ten-years-old.
Over the years I've been to all the local shows and pony
club events and won hundreds of rosettes.
My present horse is Secret, 15.3 a 13-year-old Thoroughbred
X Hanoverian. Not only do I show her, she events and I have
also taken her out with the Southdown and Eridge Hunt.
It was because of our growing success that I decided I needed
to get a licence to drive a horsebox.
Not many girls go for the Heavy Goods Vehicle licence. But
I think it’s wonderful. You're high up. It's easier
to see everything. The lorries have got power steering so
they're as easy to drive as a family car. Reversing wasn't
a problem either. I didn't even flatten one traffic cone
the whole time I was training or even taking my test.
The other reason I went for the Heavy Goods Vehicle Licence?
It was cheaper.
