The British Driving Society

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After another very wet week, the weather held off for the Fun Day, which totally lived up to its name. We began with an off-road drive on fairly muddy headlands, the longer route led by our host Rob Richardson with the shorter route carefully shepherded round short cuts on quiet roads by Mr Richardson senior.

After a picnic lunch the competitive business began. Mrs Jessica Pye judged the in-hand class, having the difficult task of sorting out ten animals ranging from an Appaloosa horse via a Hackney pony and a donkey to a handful of Shetlands. Her choice was Rob Richardson’s grey mare. Jessica said afterwards: “I was looking for good action and good manners, and so many of them had both!”

Next came the long-reining, timed through a short course set by Anna including a chicane of cones and a roadworks box to walk into and back out of. It was not as easy as it looked (and watch out folks it will be harder next year - you should see the course they set at BDS Leicestershire!). Winner was again Rob Richardson.

Finally the cones, a tricky course set by Michael. Some hard driving led to a tight finish for the first few places. And the winner? - guess who: Rob again!

In-hand                     Long-reining              Cones
1. Rob Richardson       1. Rob Richardson     1. Rob Richardson
2. Pam Dixon              2. Jessie Bowling       2. Anna Mann
3. Dilli Masters-Brown  3. Anna Mann            3. Jessie Bowling
4. Ann Hobday Lamb   4. Eleanor Faulkner    4. Pam Dixon
5. Jane Stevens          5. Ann Hobday Lamb   5. Eleanor Faulkner
6. Eileen Snowdon      6. Jane Stevens          6. Jane Stevens

DRIVE, BLACKWATER FARM, GREAT WITCHINGHAM,
26 AUGUST

Three turnouts (two pairs and a single) enjoyed a delightful drive round the lanes, escorted by our host Mike Wilson.

DRIVE, ASHBY HALL, ASHBY ST MARY,
16 SEPTEMBER

The renowned Ashby drive lived up to its reputation once more. A total of ten turnouts arrived on a perfect day, sunny and breezy, with five going out on the longer drive and five on the shorter one. The excellent buffet lunch was prepared by Mrs Cooke, Margaret Roebuck and Jean Pegler.

We were all having such a good time eating and socializing that nothing but the prospect of a Mike Broadbent cones course would have got us going again. The meadow behind the barns is an ideal space for driving - sheltered and scenic - and an ingenious course tested the drivers.

1. Jane Hughes             4. John Snowdon
2. Barbara Broadbent     5. Abi Turner
3. Mike Broadbent

It was the perfect driving day, and as things have turned out, the end of the season. Our thanks to our hosts, Mr and Mrs Chris Kemp, for inviting us once more to this absolutely beautiful venue.