ACU Western Trials Championship 2023

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ACU Western staged its annual awards presentation following the final Youth Trial Development Squad coaching session of the year, with Toby Martyn as guest of honour.

Toby, Britain's top FIM World Trials Championship rider, coached at the YDS session, and presented the ACU Western Youth Trials Championship and YDS awards, before ACU Western Chair Tony Noel presented the adult awards.

YDS Coordinator Simon Welch told the audience at Chedworth Village Hall that the YDS had coached 51 youngsters over 6 sessions in 2023 - huge thanks to BVM Moto, Kettle Civils, Ben Lovelace, Jason Tillings and Richard Eeles and Cheltenham Home Guard MCC, West Glos & Dean Forest MCC, and Gloucester & Cotswold MC for their support.

Most improved rider of the year was Molly Hassall and Hardest Trier Wlll Collins. Simon also highighted successes for the YDS on the national stage, with Jamie Laverton, Zac Ellway, Edwyn James, Aaron Watson, Izzy Coopey, Ellyn Welch, Amo Falconer and Ben James competing all over the country.

Dozens of current and former YDS members compete in ACU Western Trials, helping to achieve one of the squad's original aims to grow the sport.

Thank you to the coaches throughout the year, including those at the final session - Ben Lovelace and FIM World Ladies Trials Championship rider Alicia Robinson, Rich Knott for his help with bringing Toby to the session, and the helpers who laid on refreshments at the presentation including Sally James, Lisa Ellway and Becky Welch.

Centre Chair Tony Noel congratulated all the winners of the ACU Western Trials Championship, thanked all the riders who took part, the clubs which supported it and the observers who turned out including Centre President Tony Falconer who has been involved in trials for more than 60 years and observed in hundreds of events.

Thank you also to Trials Recorder John Luff and ACU Western website assistant editor Colin Jones for administering the championship and to Treasurer Tom Welch for arranging the trophies.

The 2024 championship has nine rounds plus 2 reserve dates - these will be confirmed after the January 15 ACU Western Board Meeting.

And finally - Simon Welch was presented with a surprise gift from BVM Moto for winning the ACU Over 40s Trials Championship, sponsored by Normandale!

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Pix: Ben Falconer

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