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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."
Eloise Kennett
 
Eloise Kennett

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.
Eloise Kennett

The other reason I went for the Heavy Goods Vehicle Licence? It was cheaper.