Although the cool and slightly overcast weather was less hospitable to loitering onlookers than last year’s brilliant sunshine, it did not actually rain, and a high standard was set in the driving classes by Anna Sadler, one of the British Driving Society’s newest judges. Classes were not large and began with the pleasure driving class, won by Marilyn Hussey with Larapinta Red Kite as her nearest rival bucked his way out of the ribbons in dramatic fashion on the last turn around the arena before the final line-up.
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- Marilyn Hussey won the pleasure driving class
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- Whoa!
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- Zoe Napier, pleasure driving class
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- Sid King in the pleasure driving class
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- Sallie Walrond was in the ribbons
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- In-hand Suffolk Punch at Woodbridge Horse Show
Fortunately no-one was hurt and Anna, quick thinking, took command of the situation, telling the groom and driver to get out of the vehicle the instant it had stopped and to take the pony out of the carriage immediately.
“What a way to start,” said Anna. “My first class at my first show and I have a runaway.”
Anyone who thinks they can judge without criticism is not facing reality, however the ringside feeling was generally positive. Sallie Walrond, Gary Docking, Jean Claydon, Oakley Fuller were just a few of the “names” who came forward with Zoe Napier, more usually seen at East Anglian Carriage Driving Group’s horse driving trials and Sid King, keen backstepper for international medallist and national horse pairs driver Wilf Bowman-Ripley of Ashfields Carriage Driving Centre, also taking part in the pleasure driving class – and both looking immaculately turned out.
A full report will be published in the next issue of Inharness magazine, out mid-June. See www.inharness.co.uk to subscribe.
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