NEARLY 300 horses saddled up and trotted to Bolham for the 42nd Tiverton Horse Show on Saturday.

Despite one heavy early afternoon downpour, conditions were ideal as the rain made the ground softer for the 270 horses and ponies to ride and showjump.

Titch surveys the scene from the back of Tirri ALL PICTURES Phil Rider-Lighthouse Images
Rachael Vicary competes on Chloe
Jasmine, a terrier cross, gets a brush up from owner Naomi Pepperal, of Wick St Laurence
Tired out after a hard day's competing
A young rider shares a joke with mum
Titch the terrier gets taken for a walk by pup Fergus
The Riding Horses Open line-up
Lucy Vaux, pictured on Birdie, is not too happy!
Let's be friends. A puppy at the show
Lottie Aird takes a jump on Sooty
Janice Gardener with Titch
Swotting flies

Successful riders are put forward for qualification to the national Horse of the Year Show in October. Horses were joined on Marley Farm by around 100 entrants to the dog show.

Organisers praised the day and hoped it would be a record-breaking attendance.

Joint secretary Gillian Tucker said: "I think we've become an established show, and people come as they enjoy looking at the horses and dogs in the fantastic surroundings of the Exe valley.

"I'd like to thank the army of volunteers, our sponsors and the land owner. None of this would be possible without them."

Prize money on offer for successful riders was £1,400.

One of those hoping to win a rosette was Claire Wilson and her horse Amazing.

She said: "I won the open worthy hunter, and was second in the ridden hunter, which I'm really pleased about because Amazing is only five years old.

"I am off to a wedding reception tonight so I think there will be a few extra glasses to celebrate."

Ray Pipe and his horse Cat Burglar were also hoping to be among the winners.

He said: "The show is very well supported today, there's a lot more people here than in previous years.

"There's not many showjumping shows in the region, so it's good to be able to come here and see such good quality jumping."

The course was designed by Sam Pepperall, from Weston-super-Mare. She had never been to the show before, and said she would love to come back: "When designing a course, you want to make it easy for the riders and not add any tricks to catch horses out.

"The quality of horses and ponies and the number of them here today is a lot better than at a lot of other shows."

Tiverton Staghounds took to the main ring at lunchtime to give a display and meet the crowd. Senior master Kelvin Thomas said: "We are always pleased to come and we appreciate the show.

"There are as many people as I can remember here today, and we enjoy the support and encourage young people to come through and join us."

It was also a grand day out for Amber the German shepherd as she picked up some bicuits and a dog toy for winning best in show. Her owner, Tracy Harris was delighted. "It's fantastic, and winning runs in the family. Amber's mum won the best in show at Tedburn so I'm happy her daughter now has something to be proud of herself," she said.

Dog show judge Gill Millican, from Cheshire, said: "There were a lot of tough decisions to make today but Amber was my favourite. She is really lovely and well behaved."