The popular One-Day Event series of competitions, hosted by Midlands Carriagedriving at Anslow, Derbyshire, is about to begin its 2026 season. Starting on 10^th May and running on 21^st June, 12^th July, 9^th August and 27^th September (all Sundays) there is something for everyone. A bonus this year is that competitors wishing to move on to national competitions can now have their Competence Card signed on completion of an event at Anslow.

There is a range of classes including VSE and SE as well as Gateway, Novice and Open and from Singles to Combinations. Competitors can select a dressage test of their choice from the BC current tests or the ICD Precision & Paces test. The cones course and obstacles are situated within easy reach of the dressage arena; the water crossing between obstacles 3 and 4 has been much improved over the winter by organiser Paul Hart. Schedule details are available on the club’s website www.midlandscarriagedriving.co.uk/events.

Entries can be made online, as above, or by email to entriesmc@gmail.com, closing date for the first ODE event is Wednesday 6^th May.

Anslow village is readily accessible from the A38 (Burton-on-Trent) between the A511 and B5017; postcode DE13 9QL.

Volunteer stewards are always welcome and much appreciated at MC events, and the club has set up a WhatsApp group specifically to provide information to signed up stewards. Potential and existing stewards can register for the group via entriesMC@gmail.com

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.

Midlands’ stalwarts celebrate 60 years of marriage

Long-time stalwarts of Midlands Carriagedriving, Geoff and Sue Kirby recently celebrated 60 years of marriage with a party for family and friends in their home village of Overseal, Derbyshire.

The couple are well-known in the driving trials fraternity with Geoff having competed for many years – winning the Open Horse National Championship at the tender age of 75 with Peggy in 2015 – with Sue acting as groom and their son-in-law John Corby as backstepper.

Their three daughters, Alison, Nicola and Fiona, plus five granddaughters were all in attendance with Alison, Nicola and Fiona providing an amusing insight into Kirby family life, much of it centred around equestrian activities from Pony Club and Riding Club to carriage driving.

Issued on behalf of Midlands Carriagedriving by Kingswood Associates