The show where everyone who turns up is a winner

ABOVE: Ariella Snell and her pony is Peter having a day to remember. Picture: TY MANNING

THE Murray Bridge Riding Club has held its annual celebration of grass-roots competition, with its aptly-named Encourage Show drawing a strong turnout of competitors supporting the three-ring program.

The show featured a breed ring, open ring and encourage ring, with classes running throughout the day. The breed ring saw a range of breeds presented in-hand, while the open ring included both led and ridden classes.

The encourage ring gave less experienced riders and horses the chance to compete in a more relaxed setting. With classes catering from led-line through to senior riders, there was a good mix of competitors across the grounds.

The timing of the show also provided a useful opportunity for some of the more experienced show teams to bring out newcomers before the second half of the show season gets underway.

Young and inexperienced horses were able to have an outing and become familiar with the show environment, while new combinations could gain some valuable ring experience before stepping up later in the season.

That mix of established competitors, new combinations and those simply having a go made for a busy day across the three rings.

ABOVE: Oliver Klose-Richards mastering the skills of a led class with Rhesa Elyon. Picture: TY MANNING

ABOVE: Ariella Snell and Peter snazzed up for the lead-rein class. Picture: TY MANNING

ABOVE: Tama Lewis and Dusty. Picture: TY MANNING

The strong support for the show was particularly pleasing for the small club and the committee behind the event.

Major award winners were:

• Supreme Led Open Exhibit: Harper Harding and Kennallywood Kensington

• Supreme Ridden Open Exhibit: Ellie Todd and Kolbeach Anastasia

• Supreme Led Breed Exhibit: Kim Ide and Chalani Quickstep

  
  

The show is just one of the activities run by Murray Bridge Riding Club throughout the year.

Rallies are generally held on the second weekend of each month and are open to everyone, with each month offering something different. Activities range from showjumping and showing to stockman's challenges, with riders of all ages and abilities catered for.

The club also runs events throughout the year, sometimes alongside its monthly rally program. Membership is kept affordable and non-members are welcome at rallies and events.

Murray Bridge Riding Club may be a small club, but it has a hardworking committee behind it, both running events and continuing to maintain and improve the club grounds.

ABOVE: Ellie Wray and her pony Shiranna Moscato. Picture: TY MANNING

ABOVE: The littlest riders were catered for as well. Picture: TY MANNING

ABOVE: Angela Hardy and Copthat Rollin Ray. Picture: TY MANNING

ABOVE: Harper Harding knows who deserves a kiss. Picture: TY MANNING

More information on the Murray Bridge Riding Club can be found here.

View and purchase MANNING PHOTOGRAPHY images from this event

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In memory of Peter.

"Only those who have loved and lost a horse know that their heart will never be the same."

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