International flavour to festival

International flavour to festival

4 June 2014

BRILLIANT summer sunshine graced last Saturday’s annual international carriage driving festival in Ballynahinch.

Now in its 16th year, the event was organised by the Northern Ireland Branch of the British Driving Society and held at the spacious Langley Road playing fields.

Visitors from across the globe came to Ballynahinch for the event, with spectators from America, Australia and China joining locals and others from across Ireland.

The judge chosen from the British Driving Society panel of judges was England’s Roger Page who was accompanied by his wife, while Strangford MP Jim Shannon judged the Concours D’ Elegance Class. Rowallane councillor Robert Burgess also visited the show.

Show director Robert Smyth and stewards R. J. McConnell, Paul King, David Newell, Brian Gregory had a busy day, as did Mrs. S. Strain (treasurer), Mr. John Powell (support officer), Mr. Eugene Larkin (chairman NIBBDS), Margaret Carlisle (secretary) and hospitality hostess Celine Larkin.

The weekend driving festival was sponsored by Ballynahinch Credit Union and Down Council, with the various champions presented with a piece of crystal.

Newry’s Kevin Teggart, driving Bennett’s Castle Joe to a four-wheeled Phaeton was the champion in the Private Driving Classes category, while the Reserve Champion was David Bailie (Newtownards) driving Zatinka M to a four-wheeled Show Phaeton. Dundrod’s James Cleland was the In Hand Class champion showing Blaze of Glory, while the Reserve Champion was Crossgar’s Cathy Brodie showing Llanarw Ifan.

Champion of Exercise Vehicles was Benny McAuley (Newtownards) driving Romany What’s Wanted, while the Reserve Champion was Denise Taylor, also from Newtownards with Bwllha Canderel.

The Hackney driven to a Show wagon Championship was won by Downpatrick’s Damien Sloan driving Sunbeam Fancy Ribbons, with the Reserve Champion category won by Linda Skillen (Newry) driving George Cunningham’s Luddington Isobella. Concours D’elegance was won by Kevin Teggart driving Bennett’s Castle Joe.

Full results:

Class (1) In Hand – Mountain and Moreland: 1 James Cleland Blaze of Glory, 2 Cathy Brodie Llanarw Ifan, 3 John Weir jnr. Rosehall Alexander, 4 Colin Beers (Killyleagh) Tyfry Sir Elfred.

Class (2) Exercise Vehicle (any height): 1 Benny McAuley Romany What’s Wanted, 2 Denise Taylor Bwllha Canderel , 3 Thomas Magill (Newcastle) Sunburst Boy and John Weir Milltown Boy.

Class (3) Single Non-Hackney Type to a Suitable Traditional Type Vehicle: 1 David Bailie driving Zatinka M to a 4-wheeled Show Phaeton owned by the Carnduff Family (Millisle), 2 Alex Presho driving Norman Brown’s Rosehall Tara Maiden to a Stanhope Gig, 3 James Bailie (Newtownards) driving Chesney to a leftey gig.

Class (4) Novice, any height: 1 Denise Taylor Bwllfa Canderel, 2 Alex Presho Brookeborough Pretty Lady.

Class (5) Single Hackney Type — any height to a suitable Traditional Type Vehicle: 1 Alex Presho Brookeborough Pretty Lady to a Spindle Back Gig.

Class (6) Country Turnouts: 1 Liam Rooney (Dromara) driving Fronarth Jupiter to a Governess Vehicle, 2 Patrick Murdock (Drumbo) driving Katie McCann to a Ralli Car.

Class (7) Hackney Horse driven to a show wagon: 1 Damien Sloan driving Sunbeam Fancy Ribbons, 2 Linda Skillen driving George Cunningham’s Luddington Isobella, 3 Michael Hanlon (Greenore) driving George Cunningham’s Wentworth Tiffany, 4 James Cleland Glenshane Dandy.

Class (8) Hackney pony driven to a show wagon: 1 Deborah Armstrong (Hillsborough) driving Stapleford Oliver, 2 Brian Stewart (Belfast) driving James Stewart’s Stapleford Little Prince.

Class (9) Concours d’elegance: Kevin Teggart (Newry) driving

Bennett’s Castle Joe who was presented with the William Alexander Memorial Perpetual Challenge Cup.

Class (10) Lady Whip: 1 Deborah Armstrong driving Stapleford Oliver

to a Show Wagon.

Class (11) Junior Whip: 1 John Weir (jnr.) driving Milltown Boy to an Exercise Vehicle, 2 Ruari Creighton driving Felix to a London Trolley.

Class (12) Light Trade Class: 1 Alex Presho driving Teddy’s All Gold

to Norman Brown’s Butchers Cart, 2 Liam Rooney driving Fronarth Jupiter

to a Pickering Float, 3 John Weir driving Milltown Boy to a Norfolk Milk Float, 4 James Creighton driving Felix to a London Trolley.