The First BDS BANBRIDGE SHOW took place on Saturday 23 rd August 2008 commencing at 10.00 a.m. in The Old Rifle Park, Newry Road, Banbridge (by kind permission of Mr Cowan). The sun shone early in the day but the weather turned somewhat wet in the afternoon.

The Judges selected from the British Driving Society Panel of Judges were Mrs .J. Boucher and Mr Clive Scott, (England) who have never Judged in Northern Ireland said they truly enjoyed their first visit. The Concours D’Elegance and Show Drive through Banbridge was efficiently policed by PSNI Banbridge and Judged by Councillor N Beare (Chairman of Banbridge District Council).

The Show Director was Mr John Powell, (Lambeg), Mr Stephen Wilson – Chief Steward was assisted by Mr R.J. Mc Connell, Mr D Horner, Mr. P. King, Mr J Crumlin, Mr M Ward, and Ms Liz Kelly (Area Commissioner). The N.I.Branch – British Driving Society Chairman is Mr Eugene Larkin and Margaret Carlisle Hon Secretary. The Treasurer is David Wilson. Mrs Lesley Horner acted as Hospitality Hostess.

The Catering Van was in the safe hands of Mr Joe Moore, (Banbridge) and his Staff.

The main Funder of the Show was Banbridge District Council and the Sponsors were George Fawcett, Sawmills, Saintfield, Jollyes Pet Food Suppliers, Banbridge, Murdoch Equine.Co.Uk, Geoffrey Walker, Blacksmith, Ballyward, Stewarts Solicitors, Newtownards, Johnston’s Saddlery, Banbridge, Castle Horse Boxes, Newry, P.Turley and Sons, Ballyward and Stanley Stewart, Dromore.

Marquee was supplied and erected by The Lions Club, Ballynahinch.

The British Red Cross were in attendance.

Tyrone Crystal was presented to the Champions and Reserve  Champions.

Championships

Image 0149: Champion – in –Hand: James Cleland (Hannahstown) ‘Bon Heather’

Reserve Champion – in Hand David Cleland, ‘Mystro’

Image 0145:  Champion Hackney – in Hand David Boyd (Carryduff) ‘Heathland Unexpected’

Champion Exercise Vehicle Class – John Weir (Ballyclare) ‘Milltown Boy’

Reserve Champion Exercise Vehicle – Fergie Bingham (Ballyward) ‘Crabtree Prince’

Champion Hackney Horse Driven to a Show Wagon – Michael Hanlon (County.Louth) ‘Downtown the Business’

Reserve Champion Hackney Horse Driven to a Show Wagon – Linda Skillen (Newry) driving James Cunningham’s  ‘Stapleford Oliver’

Champion Private Driving Classes: Alexander Presho (Brookborough) driving Norman Bown’s  ‘Rosehall May Queen’ to a Brewster going to cover Cart.

Reserve Champion Private Driving Classes Deborah Lyttle (Hillsborough) driving ‘Long Lane Ranger’ to a Stick Back Gig.

RESULTS:

CLASS (1) Welsh Pony in Hand won by Wallace Shaw (Castlewellan) ‘Clarvalley Jewel’: 2 nd John Weir (Ballyclare) ‘Milltown Boy’: 3 rd Fergie Bingham (Ballyward)

CLASS  (2) Welsh Cob in Hand won by James Cleland ‘Bon Heather’: 2 nd David Cleland ‘Mystro’: 3 rd Darryl Cadoo ‘Gellifach Jack Danils’

CLASS  (3) Hackney Horse in hand  David Boyd (Carryduff) ‘Heartland Unexpected’

Image 0154 CLASS  (4)  NOVICE HORSE DRIVING winner David Wilson (Maze) Driving ‘Fronarth Bellamy’ to  Spindle Back Gig’: 2 nd Alexander Presho driving Norman Brown’s ‘Rosehall May Queen’ 3 rd Jim Mc Coosh (Dromore) ‘Captain Morgan’:

 Image: 0164 :  CLASS  (5) EXERCISE  Vehicle up to 13.2hands 1 st John Weir, (Ballyclare) ‘Milltown Boy’ 2 nd Fergie Bingham ‘Crabtree Prince’: 3 RD Wallace Shaw ‘Clarvalley Jewel’ 4 th Leslie Herron (Newtownards) ‘Ardhus Jack’

CLASS  (6) EXERCISE Vehicle over 13.2hands John Mc Gahey ‘Buddy’

CLASS  (7) Single non Hackney under 13.2Hands won by Wallace Shaw ‘Clarvalley Jewel’: 2 nd David Wilson driving Margaret Alexander’s ‘Fronarth Sean’ : 3 RD Deborah Lyttle ‘Longlane Ranger’: 4 th Mandy Hampton ( Downpatrick) ‘Croftvale Corum’

CLASS (8) Single pure bred Section ‘D’ Liam Rooney ‘Fronarth Jupiter’

Hackney Pony Driven to a Show Wagon – Linda Skillen (Newry) driving James Cunningham’s  ‘Stapleford Oliver’ 2nd David Boyd (Carryduff) driving ‘Heartland Unexpected’

CLASS (9) SHOWMAN’S CLASS  joint winners with 47 Points each David Wilson driving Margaret Alexander’s ‘Fronarth  Sean’and Alexander Presho driving Norman Brown’s ‘Rosehall May Queen’

CLASS (10) Country Turnouts won by Alexander Presho driving Norman Brown’s ‘Rosehall May Queen’ to a Brewster going to cover Cart: 2 ND Liam Rooney driving ‘Fronarth Jupiter’ to a Governess Vehicle

CLASS (11) Shetland Pony driving 1 st Deborah Lyttle ‘Long Lane Ranger’ 2 nd Eileen Weir, ‘Nimrod Longfield’

CLASS (12) Hackney Horse driven to a show wagon won by Michael Hanlon ‘Downtown the Business’ 2 nd Tom Sloan (Ballynahinch) ‘Wereham Countess’

CLASS (13) Concours D’Elegance and Show Drive – show drive lead by Joanne Orr driving a pair of Grey Horses to a Pumpkin Fairytale Coach and Judged by The Chairman of Banbridge Council Councillor N Beare the winner was John Weir, driving ‘Milltown Boy’ to a Milk Float’ 2 nd  Leslie Herron ‘Ardhus Jack,Aye and Gee’

CLASS (14) JUNIOR WHIP winner John Weir driving Milltown Boy: 2 ND Neil Weir driving ‘Captain Morgan’: 3 RD Nathan Foster ‘Clarvalley Jewel’ 4 th Robert Wallace ‘Denis’

CLASS (15) Lady Whip won by Deborah Lyttle driving ‘Long Lane Ranger’ 2 nd Sara Lait ‘Garnfach Terry’

CLASS (16) Light Trade winner John Weir ‘Milltown Boy’ driven to a Milk Float; 2 ND Joanne Orr a pair of Greys to a Pumpkin Fairy Tale Coach: 3 RD Robert Wallace ‘Denis’ to a  Farm Cart

CLASS (17) Open Class under 12 hands 1 st Deborah Lyttle ‘Long Lane Ranger’:

                     2 ND James Bailie ‘Chesney’: 3 RD Jim Mc Coosh ‘ Snoopy’

The organising Committee of the BDS Banbridge Show wish to thank all those who worked so hard to make the Show a success.