. . . is one of the most exciting and popular equestrian pursuits in the country. The British Driving Society (BDS) was formed in 1957 and is the National organisation for a range of carriage driving activities. The aim of the Society is to support and encourage people interested in carriage driving. And welcome to the British Driving Society website. We hope you find the website both interesting and useful. It will continue to be developed over the coming months with more information and news.
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Well as I sit here writing this from my home in Yorkshire, it looks like mid Winter through the window even though we are just in early October. Time continues to fly by, the season seems a long time ago but is filled with some very happy memories of some lovely events and some very beautiful turnouts.
One of those events was our end of year Championship Show at Addington Manor on Saturday 21st September, where we had good entries, generous sponsors, and glorious weather. Many congratulations to all the prize winners especially Shane White on taking the Osborne Refrigerators BDS National Private Driving Championship, and a special mention of thanks to our title sponsor Jeff Osborne for sponsoring this year’s championships and qualifying series.
On the 2nd October, we were again blessed with sunshine at the Horse of the Year Show for the Harness Horse & Pony of the Year Championships. This championship is really another of the jewels in our crown, where we can show case carriage driving to a much wider audience at the worlds most famous horse show. Many congratulations to all who competed. One element which particularly pleased me this year was to see so many new turnouts qualifying, and some younger drivers competing, which can only be positive for the future of the sport. Again I must thank Steve Dent for his generous sponsorship of this championship.
In August, the council meeting took place at the BDS Office in Bury St Edmunds, it enabled council members to see the new office facility which we were all very impressed with as it provides not only pleasant, safe and secure office accommodation but also communal facilities and conference rooms for use by all the tenants in the complex. Sue Mills has done a great job, with support from Elaine McCarthy, in getting up and running in the new premises and seems very happy with how the move has gone. Another bonus for holding the council meeting at the office, was that it enabled Sally Walrond, one of our dear Vice Presidents, to attend which was a real treat for all the council members and provided great input and experience in to the items been discussed.
As I write this update plans are progressing for the AGM on 19th October, this year we have reverted to a previous format where by the AC & AACs meeting, the judges seminar, a safeguarding session will all take place on the same day as the AGM, with a Dinner Dance also planned for the evening. We are really hopeful that the day will be well supported by members.
Click the icon to visit the official BDS Facebook page