Exciting Results and Great Turnout at South East Carriage Driving Show

Carriage Drivers from across South East Region were out in force this week at its annual show at Felbridge Show Ground, East Grinstead drawing competitors who went head to head in the three disciplines of dressage, driving through a course of cones and showing.

The day started with Sue Belton from Cobbes Meadow RDA, Canterbury winning the Condition and Turnout with Jacko, while Linda Clark from Kipling County (Stonegate, East Sussex) won the Assisted Whip Class driving Smokey. David Botting driving Maysie of Stella Hancock RDA (Worplesdon, Surrey) was brought in first for the Novice Whip and the showing classes ended with the Open which was won by Pat Hammond, driving Charlie from Cobbes Meadow.

Prizes for the Showing were presented by David Viner, Master Wheelwright of the Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights who were the day’s sponsors.

“As wheelwrights we’re interested in all things to do with mobility - and carriage driving definitely gives a freedom to these drivers who might not always feel it” he said. “Today has been very humbling and I’ve been so impressed by what these competitors have been able to achieve!”
In the dressage, the day went to Heron’s Ghyll RDA (Whitesmith, East Sussex) with Vianne Carr driving Buttons to win the Novice and Tracey Spencer driving Nutmeg winning the Open.

Josie Cyster driving Alan from Kipling County won the Novice Cones, while there was great excitement in the finish of the Open cones which saw Heron’s Ghyll RDA enjoy a clean sweep. With only one second separating first and second and two seconds separating second and third, Karen Tritton won with Buttons, closely followed by Tracey Spencer again with Nutmeg and Brenda Longley with Lottie.

Prizes for the dressage and cones were presented by Susan Jamieson, actress (New Tricks, Grandpa in my Pocket, Midsomer Murders, When the Boat Comes In), author and RDA enthusiast.

Maysie from Stella Hancock RDA was judged as the day’s most ‘Workmanlike’ horse and won a special trophy that was donated by the Heron’s Ghyll group in memory of Gillian Maitland. Unsurprisingly given their dressage and cones success, Heron’s Ghyll won the shield for the group winning most points.

“My thanks have to go to the wonderful work of the teams behind the competitors, who are tireless in their time and support as well as our sponsors, The Worshipful Society of Wheelwrights” said the Show’s organiser, Carol Porter.