2009 Show Special - British Driving Society

Photo courtesy of Paul Orchard
British Driving Society
BDS News | page 4
Private Driving and
Light Trade Classes at
the BHDTA National
Championships 2009
Plans are well under way for this year’s BHDTA National
Carriage Driving Championships at Windsor in
September. In addition to the 16 National Championship
classes, the event is again hosting some valuable Private
Driving classes in the arenas on Saturday 12th September,
while the marathon for the Championships is in progress
in the park.
It is hoped that the Exercise Vehicle and Pleasure
Driving classes will again encourage some of the more
local competitors. These will be followed by two Private
Driving classes that include a show drive around the lovely
Windsor Great Park.
The Concours d’Elegance, to be judged this year by
talented artist, Virginia James, is sponsored by Bruce and
Rita Blundell who have been tremendous supporters of the
Private Driving at these Championships but who will be
finally retiring as chief stewards after this year’s event.
While competitors are out on their drive in the park,
Richard Wiggins will be judging the popular Light Trade
Turnout class.
In addition to prize money for each class, there
are some generous prizes in kind (each worth £160)
of a photo-shoot and a print presented by Centaur
Photographic to the first two in all the show classes, and to
the first six in the Concours.
Entries close on 21st August (late entries at double
fees until 31st August). Schedules available from Mrs J
Holah, Dykelands Farm, Whenby, York YO61 4SF or off the
website www.windsordriving.co.uk.
Spectators are very welcome at the National
Championships where admission is free on Friday, and
£8/person on Saturday and Sunday. Caravan parking
is available at £40 including admission for the whole
weekend (£20 to BHDTA members). There is also the
opportunity to purchase ‘day membership’ for the Victoria
Enclosure overlooking the competition on Saturday and
Sunday, where members will have coffee on arrival, a
buffet lunch, and afternoon tea. Details from Jill Holah as
above.
National Championship programme:
Fri 11th National Championships Dressage
Sat 12th National Championships Cross Country
Marathon
Private Driving and Light Trade Turnout
classes
Also: Dog Agility Competitions
Sun 13th National Championships Cones and Prize
Givings
Also: Windsor Classic Vehicle Show
For more details about the Championships log on to
www.windsordriving.co.uk.
Lincolnshire BDS Musical Drive
After months of talking about a musical
drive, Carole Davenport put together some
choreography to Abba’s Money Money Money,
although we used the Royal Philharmonic
version. Then weeks of training, well four
actually, and one was without music, we got our
first booking. Team Rambo stepped in to cover
for holidays.
The Lincolnshire BDS Musical Drive Team
were to perform at Burghley House Living
Heritage Game and Country Fair over the late
May bank holiday weekend.
We had a last practice at Elms Farm EC on
the Thursday prior to the event. Friday was
spent cleaning horsebox, carriage and tack. At
05.00am Saturday we woke to brilliant sunshine
and set off at 07.00am for Burghley House in
Stamford, Lincolnshire.
After a slight detour around all the burger
bars, fairground etc we found someone who
knew where we should be, and there amongst
the trees was Carole Davenport’s lorry, with
David Faulkner and Sarah Braybrook alongside.
Jill and Jocelyn Smith soon arrived and the team
was complete.
During the week before the event I had been
to the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance offices and
collected some display boards and banners and
collection tins etc. so that we could support
them alongside our BDS display. We walked the
mile from the box park to the ring and paced
out the arena, and marked the corners with
silver paint ready for our display, and then set up
the display in our tent. Our display spot was at
11.30am so we returned to the vehicles to tack
up and by the time we made our way back to the
ring the horse walk fencing had been finished
and we had a short wait until the Lurcher demo
was complete.
Disaster, just as we entered the ring the CD
player broke – a musical drive without music,
so David Faulkner told the audience about each
turnout as we did a show demo. Then it was
decided to do the display without music which if
I am honest lacked something vital – the music!
We returned to the vehicles and sat down
disillusioned that we may have to do the second
display without music. Then great news, the
sound system was being repaired. Feeling better
we tacked up and proceeded to the ring, where
this time we hoped to do the display to music.
We lined up, the music started and we set off,
several circles, cross-overs and waterfalls later
we came to a stop and the music ended. Our first
public display had finished and our timing was
nearly perfect. We even collected some money
for the Air Ambulance.
With Saturday over we all relaxed in the box
park. Sunday did not seem so daunting now, as
long as the weather held out…….
Sunday duly arrived and we had full sunshine
all day. Our display in the morning went without
a hitch and we collected about £30 for the
Air Ambulance. The afternoon display was in
the full heat of the day but there were lots of
spectators and we collected over £80 for the
LNAA. The box park was entertained by the
Scurry Driving Association on Sunday evening.
Carole Davenport loaded her flat bed trailer with
bales and nearly the entire box park climbed
aboard to be taken to the show ground where
evening meals were available. After ‘dinner’
it was back to the box park for some ‘wellie
wanging’ and then a game of rounders. As the
evening progressed and the wine diminished the
box park got louder with laughter as the comics
emerged from the shadows. [allegedly, because
we drove home and missed it all]
Monday morning we arrived back at camp
at 8 o’clock when life began again and around
the ‘camp fire’, David Faulkner’s motor home,
the kettle was on and the banter began. Our first
display was at 10.30am, which for our charity
fund raising was not a good time but they were
generous at Burghley and our buckets were not
empty despite the generator stopping, which
meant David Faulkner had to shout. The electric
was not off for long and the show continued.
Our Last display of the three days was a bit
different, the music started before we were
ready so I speeded Rambo up, difficult in itself,
and we then got ahead of the music in the
serpentine, Joss and I slowed it down again in
the last phase and we stopped in time to the
music – brilliant, no one was any wiser. David
gave his commentary as we each did our bit; Me,
Sue and Rambo took the opportunity to show
off more than the others but we had a very good
collection to end our first 3 day event Musical
Drive.
Over the three days we collected over £200
for the Air Ambulance.
Our thanks to the team. Joss & Jill Smith,
Sarah Braybrook & Heather Moir, Helen &
Molly Faulkner & Ann Chapman, Duncan &
Sue Seth-Smith, Carole Davenport for the idea
and choreography, Anya Mower for grooming
and the stories, Anna & Robin Mann for their
‘vintage vehicle’, Jeff Davenport & Mr Moir [ring
team] and David and Kathleen Faulkner for the
refreshments.
Look out Sledmere & Sandringham country
fairs.
Duncan Seth-Smith