18 September 2018
Wilf Bowman-Ripley romps home with a fourth successive win in the Horse Fours
Hosted by the Cricklands team at the David Broome Event Centre, the Tristar National Carriage Driving Championships welcomed 122 competitors to South Wales last weekend, all hoping to win the title of British National Champion. The Horse Fours class was won comfortably by Wilf Bowman-Ripley, winning all three phases. Wilf dedicated his victory to early nights, a healthy lifestyle and a new exercise regime.
Wilf Bowman-Ripley
Photo: Amy Mundell
The Advanced Horse Pairs class was won by Libby Priest, making the long journey over from the Isle of Man very worthwhile.
Seasoned campaigner Fred Pendlebury comfortably took the title of Open Horse Pairs by over 20 points from Ger Hennessy from Ireland.
Australian driver Gail Bain took the title of Advanced Single Horse back to her base at Ashfields Carriage Driving Centre.
Sara Howe, competing in both the Advanced Pony Pairs and Pony Fours once again won the title of Pony Fours National Champion with her Welsh Ponies, enthusiastically cheered on throughout the weekend by her supporters from the Bradbourne Carriage Driving Centre.
Advanced Pony Pair was won by former World Champion Anna Grayston. Anna was presented her trophy by former World Show Jumping Champion David Broome, one World Champion to another.
Experience International competitor Robert Buck claimed victory in an extremely competitive Advanced Single Pony Class. To everyone’s shock, it was Robert’s first National Championship win.
The closest class of the day was the Open Single Pony that was won by Alison Drew by just 0.08 penalty points.
Organiser James Broome was clearly delighted with all the positive feedback received about the event, “It is testament to the dedication of our fantastic team of judges, officials, writers, stewards and volunteers that this event has gone so well. I know I speak on behalf of all the drivers when I say thank you, thank you, thank you. Without your efforts, we really wouldn’t have a sport.”
