Beatson a winner at show

Maurice Beatson soars over a jump on Mandalay Cove on the way to winning the Horse Grand Prix at the Dannevirke A&P Show Saturday February 4.

Local veteran rider Maurice Beatson had his day on Saturday when he rode two horses to first (Schimmel Warrior) and third (Mandalay Cove) in the Horse Grand Prix.

Competing first on Mandalay Cove he had a clear round and followed it up with a second clear round on Schimmel Warrior.

In a jump-off with four others Mandalay Cove knocked down the first rail relegating it to third, but on Schimmel Warrior he went clear and with the best time placed first.

"It was a good day at the office," he said.

A full two days of show-jumping and a further day of showing had four arenas pretty busy during the Dannevirke A&P Show February 3 to 5.

Events involving the youngest riders competing at pace in rings two and three, contrasted with the slower but more measured horse jumping in ring one with jumps reaching 1.3 metres rising to 1.5 metres in the grand prix.

The grandstand was frequently almost full as watchers took respite from the hot sun.

There were a good number of local riders Maurice, Robert Steele, Logan Massie represented in the top events while youngsters like Adele Rycroft, Amanda Steele (sixth in Pony Grand Prix) and Jenna-Lee Rose show the future of local equestrian riding is in good hands.

Most popular was the Round the Ring events on Saturday, with horses followed by ponies and attracting 31 entries.