COMPETITORS were out in force at Cartmel Racecourse for the annual Witherslack Horse Show.

The event is growing in popularity each year and is praised by competitors for its relaxed, friendly atmosphere and variety of classes for all ages and ability of horses and riders.

Entries in all sections — which ranged from equitation to novice classes — were buoyant, particularly in the working hunter ranks.

Show president Olive Clarke OBE said: “Witherslack is a family friendly show which welcomes all levels of ability. We are growing each year and I am very proud to be the president of the show.”

Low Stennerly Liveries were the sponsors of the overall championships and supplied the supreme champions and reserves with rugs and cash prizes.

Landing the supreme ridden title was the overall horse champion, Abigail Shepherd’s smart five-year-old grey gelding Hunters Silver Moon, piloted by Vicki Shaw.

Reserve was another grey gelding, Moychullen Turbo and Kacey Finch, who gained entry to the supreme after winning both the riding pony and veteran championships.

In-hand supreme was Hannah Faulkner with her own two-year-old Fell pony Bybeck Sapphire, who had claimed the breed title earlier that morning. The bay filly has had a tremendous season, winning on most occasions on the agricultural show circuit.

Welsh ponies were in the money in both the ridden and in-hand sections. Sophie Baker rode the Welsh section C gelding Rayid Morning Glory to the overall mountain and moorland title for the second consecutive year, while Gemma Duffield led her own three-year-old Welsh section D Hillgarth Kings Reflection to stand in-hand champion.