Haven't seen Denny perform for a number of years so won't comment on his abilities at present. He might not pass muster at a competition but if the crowd at a display likes him that's all that matters.
One thing that does puzzle me.....why does everyone make such a big deal about cutting a ribbon? Along with flour bombing, spot landings, balloon bursting, etc, a ribbon cut was always part of the competitions that we held at Netherthorpe every year back in the late eighties/early nineties. The ribbon wasn't on twenty foot high poles either.....we just took it in turns to stand either side of the runway and hold it up!