Midlands Carriagedriving

Some new stars and fresh faces at another successful Anslow event

Event report and pictures

17 August 2025

 

Report by Wnedy Nix.
Photos: Kingswood Associates

Midlands Carriagedriving’s one-day event at Anslow on Sunday 17 August saw some new stars in the making and fresh faces, along with the more experienced, enjoying the venue’s excellent facilities.

Mary Fuller’s eye-catching six-year-old gelding, Bubbles, was making his first appearance in public, having only been broken to harness four weeks earlier.

The horse has the makings of a real competition contender as he lapped up Best Dressage of the Day and put up some good times in the four obstacles, showing an enthusiasm beyond his experience.


Mary Fuller's Bubbles performs Best Dressage of the Day

The ’best part’ is that Bubbles is a rescue horse, abandoned as a two-day old foal and bottle-fed, Mary discovered him when he was a bone-racked yearling, so weak he had to be lifted into the trailer – and now he’s repaying Mary in spades.


Mary Fuller in the Marathon

 Mary Jane Campbell brought along her two novice pony Hackneys which are quite difficult to tell apart other than one is a lighter bay than the other.

The lighter pony competed in the Gateway Allcomers class at Onley and continued his education at Anslow while the darker bay looks to have a bright future in driving trials with a commendable dressage score, the only double clear in cones of the day and the fastest obstacle times.


Mary Jane Campbell scores the only double clear in cones

 New faces Kirsty Regan and Helen Naden were second and third to Mary Jane respectively in the Novice Pony class.

Kirsty was driving a very pretty chestnut pony while Helen’s little grey was taught to exit Obstacle 2 at walk instead of trying to take off - as it had in the previous obstacle – just to prove how valuable Anslow is for educating as well as having fun.


Kirsty Regan


Helen Naden

 Matthew Illston-Barsby’s skewbald ponies looked to be having a great time in the obstacles, while Frank Campbell’s horse pair put up the second fastest obstacle time overall, making the turns look easy.


Matthew Illston-Barby


Frank Campbell

Anslow stalwart Linda Wiggins’ Fell pony had yet another good day, second-best dressage along with decent obstacle times resulted in the second-best overall score of the day.


Linda Wiggin


Kirsty Regan in the cones


Helen Naden in dressage

 

 

Rounding off the club’s season, the final ODE at Anslow takes place on Sunday 14 September; entries can be made online at the Midlands Carriagedriving’s website.

 For news and more information on Midlands Carriagedriving, including joining the club and entering events, visit www.midlandscarriagedriving.co.uk; also follow the club on Facebook.