COACHING MARATHON – Friday 15^th May

Towards the end of 2025, the news emerged that some American coaching exhibitors were going to attend the 2026 Royal Windsor Horse Show.  For them, the planning, logistical and financial undertaking was significant, and for the show, their presence was a boost.

Tristan Alrich, who works for Misdee and James Miller, and Melissa Warner who works for Tucker Johnson, stated their intentions early on.  The endeavour echoed a golden age when the likes of Alfred G Vanderbilt, the Rockefellers and Judge Moore made similar trips to England to engage in the showing and coaching season, and recreate the ‘Romance of the Road.’  At least nowadays, the horses, carriages and kit can transit by air so the travelling times are reduced, but it would be fascinating to index what the costs of the operation were over 100 years ago in comparison to the 21^st-century.

By the close of entries in March, 16 Coaches had entered, for the 12 slots available.  A waiting list was drawn up and the chatter started about who was and wasn’t ‘in.’  The competitors’ WhatsApp group reignited and there was a buzz of anticipation around what would happen and if the Americans might shake the results up.

Using the ‘Hallowed Ground’ at Royal Windsor has been a game changer for the Coaching and aside from being a full this year, packed with large lorries and trailers, it has become a magnet for spectators who relish seeing the horses and their magnificent coaches, with all on board looking very smart.

A TRANS-ATLANTIC JUDGE

Richard Nicoll, originally from England but based in the USA since the 1970s, was the class judge.  His experience across all driving is unrivalled.  A former pupil of Tom Ryder while working for Jack Seabrook, he gained valuable Coaching experience early in his career.  He bridges the gap between sport and traditional driving too. He was formerly chair of the FEI Driving Committee, an FEI Executive Board Member, a technical delegate and course designer, including at Royal Windsor and for nine World Championships.  At one point, he looked across the road to an obstacle as we passed and said, ‘I designed that!’  For much of his career he was a director of the Coach & Livestock Department at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (USA), the largest living history museum in the world. He’s also a driving whip historian and maker.

Katie Whaley, who is just as well known for her stunning hats as for her driving, was the CAA nominated judge for the horn blowing.  Katie had done it before in 2022, and she also brought a wealth of experience with her.  The Best Turned Out judge was former Royal Head Coachman, Matthew Powers – someone well known for his exemplary standards.

ELEVEN FORWARD

There was a last-minute drop out from the Williams-Tristar team, so eleven turnouts lined up for the initial inspection on the Hallowed Ground before setting off on the seven-mile drive round Home Park Private.  At the judging points on the drive, Richard paid particular attention to how smoothly the turns were executed, on top of the overall impression and how well the horses were going.

By the time the procession pulled up for the drinks stop at Lime Avenue next to the FEI Dressage arena, Richard said he’d pretty much decided his order, but he’d like to take the opportunity to have one last close look.  He also said before the class that he didn’t feel it was necessary for to ask for individual displays in the Castle Arena, partly because he would have had opportunities to look at them thoroughly on the drive, and partly because it is heavy going on the sand and fibre surface, more suited to the show jumpers.

THE WINNERS

Once the turnouts were safely in the Castle Arena and had given the crowd a couple of laps, they lined up and were pulled forward in order.  There were no surprises – Mark Broadbent with his seasoned team and the glorious Quicksilver Mail Coach which he restored for owner Portia Kennaway won the Road Coaches, and Misdee Wrigley Miller won the Park Drags, plus the Championship and Best Turned Out, with Mark in reserve.

Richard made several comments about his champion, mainly that her team of black Dutch Harness Horses were a superb ‘lady’s team’.  By that, he meant they were closely matched with lovely manners and seemed so light and responsive.  Misdee is a successful FEI four-in-hand and pairs driver, and the only woman to have won a team gold at the WEG in Tryon, USA (Richard was course designer), so her rein handling was seamless.  Her preparation for the turns and how efficiently they were executed owed a great deal to her judgement – no overshooting or corrections, even on the tightest corner in front of Windsor Castle.  The attention to detail throughout the turnout was superb, from the complementary green and black outfits worn by her and her guests, the Duchess of Bedford, Andrew Derbyshire and Elizabeth Ashbridge.  Her two liveried grooms, in green tailcoats, moved as if mirroring each other, especially when getting on and off the Coach.  As for the mane plaits – all perfectly round and uniform in size.

A SPECIAL COACH

Misdee’s Holland & Holland Drag was gleaming.  Having once belonged to Cynthia and Frank Haydon, it was used in their heyday with the Hackneys when they dominated showing on both sides of the Atlantic.  Dating from the mid-1890s, the Coach was bought by Mr W Barton at the Minoprio sale, and he engaged Cynthia to drive it with her Hackneys.  John McDougal then hired Cynthia, the Coach and Hackney team to take part in the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto.  Once Misdee had purchased it from the Haydons in the 1990s, she too exhibited it with success on the North American circuit but decided not to use it any more after 2000.  But, having made the decision to come to England, the Coach was sent to Fairbourne Carriages in Kent and restored in time for Royal Windsor, where it was last shown 40 or so years ago.

A UNIQUE OCCASION

It was a memorable class for more than just the winners and spectacle.  Mark Broadbent is President of the Coaching Club and was joined by the first lady member Dani van der Wiel, plus Misdee who is also now a member.  Former CC president John Richards sponsored Emma West to drive her Drag for him plus a group of his old school friends who were pupils at Shrewsbury– ‘The Salopian Coaching Club’.  John and his guests, who included Sir Dymock White’s grandson, Charles Martell.

Misdee is currently President of the World Coaching Club, for ladies who own and drive their own Coach and four.  Dani is Vice President and Emma West is also a member. Tucker Johnson is President of the New York Coaching Club, and James Miller is Vice President, and both are members of the British Coaching Club.

RESULTS

Champion & Park Drag Winner – Misdee Wrigley Miller

Reserve Champion & Road Coach Winner – Mark Broadbent

SECTION A – PARK DRAGS

1. Misdee Wrigley Miller
2. Max White with Paul White & Haydn Webb’s team to a Holland & Holland Park Drag
3. Tucker Johnson (USA) with a team of black Spanish horses to a Brewster Park Drag
4. Jay Oakley with a team of Windsor Greys to the Royal Mews 1902 Henry Whitlock Park Drag
5. Danielle van der Wiel with a team of grey Spanish horses to a Holland & Holland Park Drag
6. Emma West driving David West’s team of grey Hungarian horses to an 1870 Holland & Holland Park Drag, on behalf of John Richards and The Salopian Coaching Club
7. Simon Kesans with a team of Friesians to a Mendyka Park Drag

SECTION B – ROAD COACHES

1. Mark Broadbent
2. James Miller with a team of David West’s horses to the 1895 Tantivy by Shanks of London
3. Leigh Philips with a team of black Cobs to the Gay Gordon

SECTION C – REGIMENTAL COACHES

Russell Hand with a homebred team of Dutch Harness Horses and a Holland & Holland Coach was the only entrant but withdrew after the drive due to a broken leader bar.

HORN BLOWING WINNER

Justin Cowles on James Miller’s Tantivy Road Coach

For more images, please visit Art & Joy Photography