BDS Wales Show

Sunday 12th July 2026

United Counties Showground Carmarthen SA33 5DR

BDS WALES SHOW

 with

Combined Driving Challenge

Chair Helen Stevens

Secretary Anthea Birch

01874 730724 birchanthea@aol.com

Treasurer  Toby Jackson

Sponsorship and Publicity Tina Ree

Judges: Dressage Ann Davies

Showing Classes Sara Wildy

Concours d’elegance TBC

Class 1: Combined Driving Challenge

Commencing 10.00am

This competition will consist of 3 phases –

 

1. Dressage BDS WALES DRESSAGE TEST 2 (2026) (attached)

The movement marks are added up and taken from the ‘maximum possible score’ to give the penalty score

b.   Cones

The cones section is scored as follows – penalties are five marks for a knockdown and one mark for each second over or below the optimum time which is set on a speed of 220 meters per minute.

c.    Presentation

All competitors enter the show ring together and proceed as directed by the steward. Once the turnouts have been brought into a line, each competitor will come forward in turn to give a freestyle show of a maximum 2 minute duration.

This is not a showing class in the conventional format, but rather an opportunity for the driver to demonstrate their individual skills, the obedience suppleness and paces of their equine, taking advantage of the opportunity to ‘show off their best side’

Type, breed and conformation of the horse/pony will not be taken into consideration, nor will the type of turnout, i.e. modern or traditional

Driver and groom’s appearance should be suitable to the type of carriage, whether this is a traditional or modern vehicle. Gloves and hat to be worn, and in the case of the driver a whip to be carried and an apron worn. High viz is not required.

Cleanliness of the turnout and fit of harness (of whatever type) and the overall harmony of the complete turnout will be considered.

Placings in this section will be decided by means of penalties accrued.

At the conclusion of all 3 phases final placings will be decided by the addition of penalties accrued in all 3 phases with the least penalties being the winning score

This class may be divided depending on entries

Show Classes   Commencing from 12.00p.m.

Class 2: Concours d’Elegance

Concours d’ Elegance – open to traditional and non traditional vehicles. This class is judged from a distance and is based on the judges’ appreciation of the overall picture of the turnout.

Rosette for the Best Groom

Class 3: Open Private Driving

Open to single or multiple equines put to a traditional or traditional type vehicle.

Rosette for the Best Groom, Driver with Disabilities

Qualifier for the BDS IcelineYorkshire Ltd National Championships, Categories (a) – (g) see attached sheet

Class 4: Small Equines

Open to Open to equines up to a maximum height of 42 inches, single or multiple turnout, put to either a traditional or non-traditional vehicle.

Class 5: Exercise Vehicle

Any height, single or multiples put to an exercise vehicle.

(Class may be split into two/four wheel vehicles depending on entries)

Rosette for the Best Groom

Qualifier for the BDS IcelineYorkshire Ltd National Championships, Categories (j) – (k) see attached sheet

Rosette for the Best Groom, Driver with Disabilities

Class 6: Coloured Equine

Open to any height equine, single or multiple traditional or exercise vehicle turnouts.

Qualifier for the BDS IcelineYorkshire Ltd National Championships, Categories (l) see attached sheet

Class 7:            Veteran Horse or Pony

Veteran horse or pony 16years and over put to traditional or exercise vehicle.  Special Rosette for oldest equine and whip combination

Class 8:  Junior Driver 8 – 17yrs inclusive

Open to a Single traditional / traditional type or exercise vehicle (excludes Trade or Show Wagons), driven by a young driver aged 8-14 or a Single, Pair or Tandem traditional / traditional type or exercise vehicle (excludes Trade or Show Wagons) driven by a young driver aged 15-17 years on show day. To be judged separately in the ring as a show class. Traditional and non-traditional vehicles will be judged on equal merit. The 1 st and 2 nd prize winners will qualify for the Young Drivers Championship immediately following this class.

Qualifier for the BDS IcelineYorkshire Ltd National Championships, Categories (m) – (n) see attached sheet

Class 9:  Pleasure Driving

Open to any height equine, single or multiple turnout.

Pleasure Driving classes are for newcomers to showing and not intended for those who show in private driving classes, regular showing competitors are asked to respect this. Traditional and non-traditional vehicles are permitted, and for the purposes of this class they will be judged on equal merit. Pneumatic tyres specifically designed for carriages i.e. not car tyres, are allowed. This class to be judged on general cleanliness, safety of turnout, correct fitting of harness, vehicle suitability, horse/pony way of going and suitability as a family pleasure animal. Competitors maybe asked to do small tasks in their show. (for definition of ‘exercise vehicle’ which will apply throughout the show, see rules)

A special rosette will be given to the Best Groom, Driver with Disabilities

Followed by –

 

Non Traditional Vehicle Championship

Open to 1st and 2nd prize winners driving an exercise vehicle in any class Winner to receive the Whisper Cup kindly donated by Mac and Jen Humphries

Private Driving Championships

Open to 1st and 2nd prize winners driving traditional vehicles in any class

Points Championship Classes 2-8

GENERAL RULES AND CONDITIONS

1. All equines are to be a minimum of four years
2. Hard hats are to be worn at all times when exercising ridden
3. Dogs must be kept on leads at all
4. Ball games are prohibited near the
5. No horse to be left unattended at any
6. British Driving Society membership number must be included on entry
7. Every care has been taken to ensure that everyone attending the show has a safe experience. The show will therefore not accept liability for damage or injury due to any cause whatsoever.
8. The show recommends that nothing valuable is left The show will not accept liability for theft of valuables while on the showground.
9. The judge’s decision is Any objections should be put in writing with £30 deposit (refunded if the objection is upheld) to the Show Day Secretary within 15 minutes of the class ending.
10. The show reserves the right to refuse or cancel entries, to vary or cancel awards and postpone or abandon the show or any section thereof.
11. All horses must have passports, which can be shown to the relevant authorities on the day of the show.
12. All Drivers, especially Young Drivers must be able to place their feet either on the floor of the carriage or an appropriately placed fixed foot rest.
13. For the purposes of this show the definition of an exercise vehicle – a carriage not of traditional type design and includes those with pneumatic tyres specifically designed for carriages (i.e. not car tyres)
14. YOUNG DRIVERS aged 8 to 17 years inclusive on the day of the show. A competent, experienced adult groom aged 18 years or over to be carried at all times whilst on the move.
15. All drivers under the age of 14 years must wear a correctly fitted hard hat when in a carriage or in attendance to a turnout.
16. Where a driver is assisted by a groom/competent adult by means of double reins, that support person must remain on the carriage at all times and a second groom/competent adult must be present on foot to assist as necessary at all times

The British Driving Society Wales Branch would like to thank the following for their generous sponsorship of the 2026 BDS Wales Show:

C.L.H. Trailers. St. Clares

Cotts Veterinary Practice, Narbeth

Brodawel Boarding Kennels, Margam

Rob Parry and Family

Michelle Peters

Christina Ree

Helen and Bob Stevens

Toby and Sue Jackson

Anthea Birch

BDS WALES SHOW 12th July 2026

Showing classes 2- 9

 

EXHIBITOR/OWNER DETAILS NAME and BDS No ADDRESS

        POSTCODE                          

Email                     tel. no.                           

 

 

Class	WHIP/Driver NAME and BDS No.	AGE if applicable/Eligible as Novice	NAME OF EQUINE	HEIGHT	VEHICLE TYPE	ENTRY FEE

TOTAL

Entry on the day –             BDS Members only – £10.00,

I have read and agree to abide by the show rules: SIGNED                               DATE                   

Pre entry only, to be received by 6^th July 2026. Start times will be published in advance of the show date

Entries by post to – Anthea Birch Waunddu Duffryn Crawnon, Llangynidr, Crickhowell Powys NP8 1NU, or via email birchanthea@aol.com

Payment by BACS – BDS Wales Show Account, Lloyds Bank, Sort Code30-95-46, Acc. No 04035356

PRINT NAME

BDS WALES SHOW 12th July 2026

Combined Driving Challenge

 

 

EXHIBITOR   NAME                                            

ADDRESS                   

POSTCODE                   

Email tel. no.

 I have read and agree to abide by the show rules: SIGNED:    DATE

 

Class 1

WHIP/Driver NAME and BDS No.

AGE if applicable

NAME OF EQUINE

HEIGHT

VEHICLE TYPE

ENTRY FEE

£25

 

Entry fee £25 (covering all 3 phases)

Pre entry only, to be received by 6^th July 2026. Start times will be published in advance of the show date

Entries by post to – Anthea Birch Waunddu Duffryn Crawnon, Llangynidr, Crickhowell Powys NP8 1NU, or via email birchanthea@aol.com

Payments please contact for information

Please download and read the current risk assessment for the show

Risk Assessment 1-2

Please also see below a current map and layout planned for the event

As everyone knows within the Driving Community running and organising the show incurs no small financial cost and is only becoming more expensive. We are extremely grateful for all the sponsorship received in the past and hopefully you will feel able to continue to support the BDS Wales Show in the years to come and new sponsorship is of course always very welcome.

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