David Saunders, formerly head coachman to The Duke of
Edinburgh, Royal Mews, Windsor Castle, England and was with The Duke
from the inception of combined driving, so has seen the development
of combined driving right from its earliest days. Apart from that, as
a member of the Royal Mews he has a great background in coaching.
David was the inspiration for the book Competition Carriage Driving
and the Royal Four in hand video produced by the Duke of Edinburgh and
appears in all of The Dukes equine books.
David was involved in the design of the open back step marathon carriage
now used in competitions and has designed several harness innovations
and some new driving bits.
Now a citizen of the United States residing in Florida, Saunders has
contributed to the growth of carriage driving in general and has represented
the United States in the World Pair Driving Championship. Prior to his
move to the US, he represented Great Britain in several Pair and four
in hand World Championships, winning the Four-in-hand in British National
Four in hand Championships1988.
Since arriving in the United States, Saunders has been a member of the
USET representing the US with a Four-in-hand and at the World Pairs
championships. He then became highly sought after for his coaching knowledge
and experience. His coaching students have included such esteemed drivers
as Gloria Austin, Misdee Wrigley and Tucker Johnson. Saunders is one
of a select few who is credentialed to judge sanctioned coaching events
in the U.S. David's most recent achievement is Chief Steward Driving
for the International Equestrian Federation (F.E.I.). David Saunders
has much to offer carriage drivers in whatever field their interest
lies, be it coaching, pleasure driving, or combined driving, novice
or experienced.
Credentials
Citizen
of the United States
Citizen of the United Kingdom
The Steward General for Driving USA
Chief
Steward Driving
FEI (International Equestrian Federation)
Governing body for all equestrian sports
United States Equestrian Federation
Chief
Safety Officer, Carriage Association of America
Safety and Education Committee, American Driving Society
National
Judge - Driving, U.S.A.
National Judge - Driving, U.K.
National Chef d'Equipe U.K.
Member
of Executive Committee, British Horse Driving Trials Group
Member of Selection Committee - Driving, U.S.E.F.
Member of the Four-in-hand Club, U.S.A.
Silver
Jubilee Medal for long and loyal service to H.M. The Queen of England
Order of Orange Nassau from H.M. The Queen of the Netherlands
Medal of Honor His Majesty the King of Sweden
Medal of Honor His Majesty the King of Nepal
Medal of Honor International Equestrian Federation
Special Award from the Worshipful Company of Coach makers and Coach
harness
makers of London, U.K.
Coachman Royal Mews Buckingham Palace
Consultant to His Majesty the King of Malaysia
Consultant to His Excellence the Sultan of Oman
Consultant to International Harness maker van der Wiel Belgium
Consultant on visit of President of the United States to Windsor Castle,
working with Whitehouse Staff and Secret Service
Coachman and Instructor to Gloria Austin Florida
Coachman and Competitor for Jonh W Kluge U.S.
Coachman Royal Wedding Prince & Princess of Wales, U.K.
Coachman to H.R.H. Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh, U.K.
Coachman to H.R.H. Prince Michael of Kent, U.K.
Horse master for the film and television industry U.S. and U.K.
Coachman and consultant to Stewart Title Houston Texas
Expert witness High Courts, London, U.K.
Consultant and coachman to Gloria Austin of Austin Carriage Museum,
Florida
Manager Sandringham Carriage Driving Center, Owner H.M. The Queen
Technical Advisor "The Royal Four-in-hand"(Video made by H.R.H.
Prince Philip)
Technical Advisor "Competition Carriage Driving"(Book by
H.R.H. Prince Philip)
Featured in "30 years on the Box Seat" (Book by H.R.H. Prince
Philip)
Stand in for H.R.H. Prince Philip, Trooping of the Color, U.K.
Worked closely with Royalty Protection Metropolitan Police, London,
U.K.
Worked in horse shoeing industry, U.K.
International
Competitor - Driving.
Team member World Equestrian Games, Stockholm, Sweden representing U.K.
four in hand
Team member World Championships, Hungary representing Great Britain
pair
Team member Germany, representing U.S.A. four in hand
Team member World Championships, Germany representing U.S.A. pair
British national champion four in hand
