THE Victorian horse trials season is in full swing and Riddells Creek attracted 270 riders over the Easter weekend.
The club has always had a good following and put hard work into improvements, including five new full-size sand laser-levelled arenas.
The club ran sections for open competitors and for pony club riders. Despite enduring one of the coldest days for months on the final day, all competitors enjoyed the event.
Lucy Gunn and Raymond K won the grade one pony club class while Breanne Moody, on aptly named How Do You Like Me Now, won the grade two class.
Grade three was split into divisions.
In the first, two riders finished on a score of 33 points - Tayla Childs on Lakevale Storm, and Maddison Kyritsis and Final Choice - with Maddison winning on a count back.
In division two, Tara Lawson, riding Primela, finished a point ahead of Abbey Turnbull's Strike a Light.
In grade four, Ripponlea Muscat, ridden by Lauren Hutchinson, and Harry, ridden by Samantha McMurray, won their divisions.
In grade five, Jasmine Grill's Caravale Calypso led from start to finish.
The open classes give a good workout to up-and-coming horses.
In the open grade one, Erin Funk's capable bay mare, Ella Azure, improved from third after dressage to win the class.
In grade two, Obvious Intentions and Charlotte Littlefield also improved from second after dressage to score well in cross country and showjumping to win.
The grade three open was also split, with the winners, Continuum, ridden by Courtenay Kellet, and Amore Harmony, ridden by Carolyn Bailey Lofts, finishing on their dressage scores.
In the open grade four, Kerrie Tresize's and Finn's dressage score of 22 kept them in a winning position, despite time faults on the cross country.
