Another year and BDS Annual Show at Smiths lawn has come around again, Once again we were bless with fantastic weather luckily slightly cooler than the year before. The layout of the show had completely changed due to extensions to the various polo pitches of the Guards Polo Club, so everyone competing had to allow slightly more time to get to the three different rings. We took 2 pairs of horses and 3 carriages, with Joanne Competing in the Pairs and Multiples and Vintage Vehicle class with Star and Mettz driven to both a Hartland hooded mills spyder phaeton and an Original Selby & Co Wagonette. Whilst Michael did both the Vintage vehicle class and the Concourse d’elegance with Boss and Diamond driven to an Original Holland & Holland Victoria.

Joanne started the day off with the Pairs and Multiples class and with some stiff competition from the other competitors, Joanne and her Friesian horses took the win ahead of Jack Harris. The next class was the Vintage Vehicle class, which has been a great class gaining in popularity over the past few years with at least 8 entries this year with the emphasis being on the quality of vehicle above all else, Michael drove his Holland & Holland Victoria in this class. It is a vehicle that he particularly likes driving and is a more unusual carriage to enter a show ring as there is no category or classes with which it would be correct to use such a vehicle as it is neither a trade or private driving turnout.  Joanne also competed in this class after a quick change of carriages, which meant she was slightly late for the class (luckily the stewards knew of this before she entered the class). For this class Joanne used her original Selby & Co Wagonette which was a carriage originally owned by George Mossman, The Judge took a particular liking to this vehicle with its unusual springing arrangement and beautifully built fold down steps coupled with the fact that the seating arrangement can be changed so that it can be used as either a back to back dogcart, wagonette or a small break. Once again Joanne came out on top with Michael ending up 4th

After the lunch break, Michael took part in the Concourse d’elegance with his turnout and enjoyed a lovely drive around the Windsor Park Estate. He highly recommends the drive around Windsor  as it always provides spectacular views and it is always amazing to see the everyone’s turnouts. Whilst Michael was doing the Drive, Joanne was competing in the championship open to the first two competitors of certain qualifying classes, Joanne came in as reserve champion and due to the champion already having qualified for HOYS she received the roll down qualification, so will now be competing in HOYS at the end of the year for the third time with her horses Star and Mettz.

Overall a fantastic day was had by all.