AREA CARRIAGE DRIVING SHOW
MAY 1OTH & 11TH 2008 AT ERDDIG HALL WREXHAM
The weekend of May 10^th & 11^th saw The National Trusts Erddig Park Wrexham bathed in wall to wall sunshine, and the classes being held on the magnificent dressage arena which had been prepared by Steve Griffiths and his staff and was in condition to match the best in the UK.  Andy Rudford of Wrexham was official show photographer taking over 1,000 photos which can be seen on his website http://naturalscapephotos.co.uk .   

Saturdays Judge was John Marson of Gower, South Wales, and classes commenced with Junior Whip and saw 7 turnouts forward, won by Roseanne Simpson of Staffordshire driving Cracker Jack. The pleasure drive had 10 competitors with Val Norbury of Wrexham driving Belchford Ragtime placed first.  Exercise vehicles class numbered 12 with the Judge placing Roseanne Simpson of Staffordshire 1^st driving Semley Sport, Registered M&M was won by Hannah Williams of Conwy driving Janet Williams Shetland Gorsehill Jenga. The Welsh section saw Val Norbury placed 1^st driving Belchford Ragtime.  The open M&M saw 7 entries with Nadine England of Dinas Mawddwy driving Georgina Holts Buzz & Rocket placed first.  Veteran Class was well supported by  6 turnouts with Val Norbury of Wrexham driving Belchford Ragtime placed first. Amateur Produced saw Mr Marson Judging 9 turnouts giving 1^st place to Wrexham based Val Norbury driving Belchford Ragtime. Private driving Victoria foods qualifier, saw turnouts driven  some 5 miles of safe roadways around the countryside surrounding Erddig Estate with safety stewards leading and following the drive, Elspeth Gill of Bridgenorth  driving Fantasia was awarded the qualifier.

NOVICE WHIP CHAMPION  Georgina Holt of Dinas Mawddwy driving Buzz & Rocket. RESERVE  Sharne Bellis of Llanfairfechan,Conwy driving her pony Jaffa.

SHOW CHAMPIONSHIP was awarded to Val Norbury of Bangor On Dee, Wrexham driving Belchford Ragtime. RESERVE Elspeth Gill of Bridgenorth, Shropshire with Fantasia.

Mrs Margaret Marson,of Gower Judged the 5 turnouts who had entered  Concours D’Elegance, all five drivers and turnouts attracted huge interest from visitors to the show, Mrs Marson finally placing Roseanne Simpson of Staffordshire  driving Semley Sport in 1^st place. 2nd Mrs Elspeth Gill and Fantasia 3^rd Mrs A W Spencer of Colwyn Bay, Conwy and Fron Bertie.

Following a most successful Saturday evening get together around the log fire, friends old and new to Carriage Driving established an excellent rapport, which finally concluded  a fabulous first day’s Carriage driving.

Sunday again was wall to wall sunshine with Mr John Rees of Caerwys, Flintshire stepping into the ring to judge the In hand, Long Reining and Disabled Driver classes he commenced with In Hand showing which saw  7 entries forward and he awarded 1^st place to Helen Edwards of Penmaenmawr, with Carneddau Black Beth. Long Reining saw 8 forward, 1^st place going to Medina Dick of Penmaenmawr and her Pony Tyn Derw Blue Boy. Disabled Drivers classes. Single rein class went to Val Norbury of Bangor On Dee Driving Lord Avon. Double rein class was awarded to 12 yr. Old Kelly Rush of Lavister, Wrexham driving her pony Magic. Kelly also won the Disabled Cones class with Magic. Novice Cones. Went to Sharne Bellis of Llanfairfechan driving Jaffa with top points from the 7 entries. Open Cones saw a joint first from the 6 forward, Tony Tharne of Llanfairfechan driving Wallace & Medina Dick of Penmaenmawr Driving Tyn Derw Blue Boy.

North East Wales  Area Commissioner Janet Williams, thanked all entrants for supporting the Areas first annual show at Erddig Park, the National Trust for use of the wonderful facilities at Erddig, volunteers, stewards, Chester Horse Driving Trials Group for use of cones, Genesis Association Employment Charity, Wrexham for providing commentary and loudspeaker Trailer and to other sponsors for making our first show a success and a must do event in May 2009.

VISIT OFFICIAL SHOW PHOTOGRAPHER WEBSITE

http://naturalscapephotos.co.uk