2009 Show Special - British Driving Society

Wales
About half of our areas have now held their
qualifying events for the BDS Wales Welsh
National Trec Championships. These are
proving to be immense fun and a great way
for potential new members to come along and
see what we are capable of. Congratulations
to those who have qualified so far. Details for
the Finals to be held in the Crychan Forest on
Sun 13th September will be made available to
MID EAST WALES
AC Emma Stevens
Tel: 01591 610515 (day) info@lasswadehotel.co.uk
As Emma is having a really busy time I’m
writing this on her behalf on the longest day,
looking out on a grey drizzly mist – it can
only get better. Unfortunately our Le Trec
competition fell prey to a weekend of terrible
weather and had to be postponed. The original
entries stand and the competition will be
rearranged in August.
Our area members had great successes at the
Hereford show. Emily Ham with Crossfield
Glory won the Private Driving Championship,
the Concours d’elegance, the Victoria Foods
qualifier, the BDS Wales qualifier and the
Hereford member’s championship. Jackie
Cartwright with Just Toto was 1st in the Ride
and Drive, 1st Coloured, qualified for the
Osborne Refrigerators 4 wheel exercise vehicle
and came 3rd in the Country vehicle class.
Then she and Just Toto teamed up with Emily
to win the Whip and Groom class.
Several of our area members enjoyed a charity
ride and drive through the forestry around
MID WEST WALES
AC Angela Drinkwater-Lunn
Tel: 01654 782 382 / 07768 426378 aed@aber.ac.uk
On behalf of the junior members
of area 50 I would like to thank
the Welsh BDS and Mr & Mrs
Mark Evans for giving them the
opportunity of a lifetime. What a
difference when they returned from
junior camp. Their driving skills are
so much improved and their stable
management has taken on a
very serious approach. They have
been so inspired by the whole
experience that they are already
working on their folders for next
year. I would also like to thank all
the adults who gave up their valuable
free time to help make the camp
such a success.
It was a pleasure to meet up with Anne Watson-
Smyth and the Rainbow Trails Group for the
drive in the Dyfnant Forest. The drive was a
shortened seven miles due to the great heat. The
riding or driving trails are superb and extremely
well marked. The Dyfnant Forest provides
corrals and tying posts and good driving
surfaces plus a drive in drive out car park
making the whole experience a pleasure. Anne
provided us all with a splendid tea with more
those who have qualified after the last event is
held. Stewards will be needed on the day, so
if anyone would like to volunteer, please ring
Sian Burrows on 02920 832316 for details.
Supporters are more than welcome, and anyone
who would just like to come and have a look,
please feel free to turn up.
By the time this hits the doorsteps, the Tandem
Meet will have passed us by. Congratulations
Abbey Cwmhir – some managed to lose their
way but I think had a good time in fine weather
anyway.
The following week saw driving classes at the
Severn Valley Welsh Pony and Cob Association
Summer Show near Caersws. Again Jackie
and Just Toto had a good day being 3rd in
the Coloured horse under saddle, 3rd in Any
Harnessed Horse, 1st in the Pleasure Driving
class and was Reserve Driving Champion.
Now to future events: if possible please ‘phone
the person organising at least a week in advance
so that they have some idea of how many
people to expect.
Friday 14th August – Bob and Phil Giles are
hosting a barbecue and Equestrian Boot Sale at
Llangamarch Wells. Contact Bob on
01591 620 216
Friday night 28th - Monday 31st August –
Glenys Davies is planning a weekend of driving
and fun from the Glansevern Arms, Pantmawr,
Ffion receiving instructions from Mark Evans
than enough food for an army. I would like to
thank her for our wonderful welcome and our
appreciation of her splendid organisation. This
certainly was a ‘pleasure drive’. We hope to join
you again in September...and the fly repellent
recipe certainly does work.
We are now preparing for our area Le Trec and
there is much bush and grass cutting to be done
and rabbit hole spotting! Please will members
sort out some raffle prizes for future events as
Area News | British Driving Society
to the BDS members who participated this
year. It really is a lot of hard work putting these
turnouts together and getting in the practice,
so well done!
It’s been lovely to see the shows so well
supported despite horrible weather and the
prospect of hours of cleaning up after wards.
Thank you to everyone who has participated at
these shows.
AAC Kathy Gower Tel: 01686 440675
Llangurig. Contact Glenys or Gwen on
01686 440 240.
Saturday 5th September – Beulah show.
Driving classes with a show road drive. This
will be our Area show. For further details please
contact Emma Stevens 01591 610 515
Sunday 13 September – B.D.S.Wales Le
Trec Championship in the Crychan Forest,
Llandovery. This is a new championship open
to B.D.S. members who have qualified from
their areas. Even if you haven’t qualified it
should be fun to watch and any help with
setting up or stewarding will be very much
appreciated.
Saturday 26th-Sunday 27th September –
Dragon Drive. Two days of great driving that
explores beautiful tracks in the mid Wales
countryside. Contact Emma Stevens
01591 610 515.
AAC Sue Rimmer Tel: 01407 720573
I am planning great things to be held at The
University of Aberystwyth Equine Department
and we need some funds in order to make this
happen. With summer season activities and
shows all on the agenda it is a very busy time
for all of us and I am thrilled to hear that Chris
West is taking up the reins again after quite a
break.
September 12/13 – Le Trec Finals.
September 26th – Carriage Pulling Fun Day
for Juniors. No ponies but pulling small carts
accurately around cones to improve carriage
control and otheractivities. Dolgoch 2pm.
September 27th – Dyfnant Forest Carriage
Drive with tea.
October 10th – Dolgoch Studio. Annual
Meeting. Fund raising activities/social.
October 18th – Mary Jones Drive
Llanfihangel. 12pm
Please ring if you wish to join any of the
activities to confirm details.
page 29 | BDS News