Coaches Parade under eye of ‘Royal’ judge
Star entrance of the locally owned ‘Millennium Coach’
16.09.02

Twelve regimental coaches, including the locally owned ‘Millennium Coach’ are entered for the Coaching Marathon, which will be judged by Her Majesty the Queen’s Head Coachman, Colin Henderson at the Royal County of Berkshire Show. This is the largest field ever at Newbury Showground for the 21st/ 22nd September Show and bucks the trend of other agricultural events this year where entries appeared down.

Richard Reade, organiser, first introduced the marathon to the Show seven years ago and the short course takes in local villages before the coaches triumphantly parade for final judging onto Newbury Showground. Richard explained, “The coaching marathon at the Royal County of Berkshire Show is now a fixed, popular date in the coaching calendar.” He continued, “We are delighted that the country’s leading coaches are coming and honoured that they will be judged by Colin Henderson, the Queen’s Head Coachman”.

It has been a busy year for Colin with the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations that have taken him the length and breadth of the country. It is his first visit to the Royal County of Berkshire Show and in judging the grand finale of the coaching season he will be looking at the individual horses, how well they perform in teams and the turnout of the horses, coaches, appointments and passengers.

Making its debut at the Show is the Millennium Coach, owned by Simon Baker from Ashford Hill, Newbury. Believed to the first coach built in England by master coachbuilders for over 100 years, this is the Millennium’s first coaching season. Local businessman and owner of Voice Products plc, Simon has been driving ponies at the Show for many years. He will drive the 1 3/4 ton Millennium coach, which pulled by four black horses - Ernest, Gus, Hugo and Hussar - spans forty feet. It took 3,000 man-hours to build, used 60 leaves of 9-carat gold leaf, 30 litres of paint and 370 hand made metal parts. Built in Devon the Millennium Coach, described as a ‘brilliant piece of English workmanship’, is bound to be a star attraction at the Show.

The Royal County of Berkshire Show takes place on 21st and 22nd September at Newbury Showground adjacent to the M4/A34 Junction 13. Advance tickets: adult - £8.00, child (5-16 years) - £5.00, admission on the day: adult - £10.00 child - £6.00. A £20 family ticket (2 adults plus 2 children) is only available in advance. For details of advance ticket outlets please contact the information line: 01635 247111.

For further press information please contact:
Annette Priestley
Comand (UK)
Tel: 01635 248258
e-mail: priestley@comanduk.co.uk