GALLERY Everyone was a winner at a horse show which proved good sportsmanship is still alive and kicking - and gave families plenty of fun.Convoys of horseboxes queued to get in to the Mainstream Horse and Pony Show, back after a three-year break and this time even bigger and better.

EVERYONE was a winner at a horse show which proved good sportsmanship is still alive and kicking - and gave families plenty of fun.

Convoys of horseboxes queued to get in to the Mainstream Horse and Pony Show, back after a three-year break and this time even bigger and better.

The show - held in memory of Ufford man businessman Ray Nicholls, who died from cancer - raised £2,400 for the East Anglian Children's Hospices.

Organiser Amy Nicholls said her it was her late father's wish to put on a show open to all but especially to encourage the young and novices who might not feel up to competing at big shows or who do not necessarily have expensive kit or ponies but who would like to “have a go” with the family pony.

“On Saturday I was really worried because the weather was not great, we had not been running for three years, people are not spending so much money and we had not had many entries and thought it would be a complete disaster,” said Miss Nicholls.

“Then on Sunday we arrived at the field to set up the ring and soon after there was a convoy of horseboxes queuing to get in!

“It was amazing, fantastic. It was a really super day and comments we have had have been lovely.”

Around 135 horses and ponies of assorted sizes and ages and abilities took part, plus dozens of dogs in a fun dog show.

Every entrant went home with a rosette - some of them with armfuls.

“We had toddlers and children to adults going home with beaming smiles and at least one rosette each - I think it is so encouraging for them and my dad would have been proud,” said Miss Nicholls.

She thanked everyone who had sponsored the event and provided prizes and helped on the day.

Classes included in hand, ridden, family pony/horse, veteran, a gymkhana and tiny tots gymkhana, handler categories, a fun dog show, and a children's ring.

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