An overwhelming number of entries for the region’s opening dressage event saw a scintillating start to the year.
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Armidale Riding Club hosted their first competition for the year on Sunday with a massive 175 tests run over the course of the day.
Guyra’s local riders as well as competitors from as far as Scone travelled to compete.
Aberfoyle’s Fiona Macarthur was one of the day’s most successful, winning two official preliminary tests on Kelly’s Blackhawk and finishing first in the participant novice with Minivers Avatar.
She also managed a fourth in the participation preliminary ahead of husband Rob Kelly on Widgee Spice.
Riders at the event weren’t deterred by the weekend’s record breaking temperatures with very few rubbing themselves out of the competition.
"We had a very successful day with high entries,” president Kerry Crees said.
"Very minimal scratchings, would have been maybe just under 10 per cent. It was really positive, the lower tests had reserve lists, it has been a long time since we have had reserve lists.”
The club put in extra precautions with the mercury predicted to hit the mid 30s on the day.
"When we were looking at the weather forecast we changed for comfort for our judges who come from all over the state, we put up the tents which made it very comfortable for them. The travellers from Scone and other areas were very, very happy. They were pleased to be here rather than at home,” Crees said.