AFTER being refused entry last year, the Smith family galloped in and won two prizes at the Mid Somerset Show on Sunday.
Fears of a fracas between rival traveller families at last year's event saw the Smiths barred – they received an apology later in the year., from the show chairman, Ian Harvey.
And now its all water under the bridge after a successful comeback.
In this year's open driving class competition, in the horse category, brothers Martin and Manny Smith came fourth and fifth. Manny admitted there was a lot of competition between the two brothers and joked that he was "very disappointed" he lost to Martin at the weekend.
Manny, said: "We are just glad everything is back to normal and everyone is happy. Let bygones be bygones, it was all worth it in the end.
"The reception we got was just great. It was a good day, I couldn't of wished for a better show."
Manny said: "The day was absolutely brilliant, happy how we were treated.
"I want to thank the people of Shepton for their support, everyone was shaking our hands."
He wanted to thank the people of Shepton Mallet and staff of the show for their support after the confusion last year, as well as to the Journal, as this year's success would not of been possible without it.
