DESPITE the gloomy Bank Holiday weather, thousands flocked to enjoy the 137th Woodbridge Horse Show.

DESPITE the gloomy Bank Holiday weather, thousands flocked to enjoy the 137th Woodbridge Horse Show.

Held at Trinity Park yesterday, the horse show attracted more than 700 competitors who performed in the 14 rings across the ground.

Competitions included the best mare or filly in show, best working horse, best pony, junior show jumping and supreme champion Suffolk horse.

Around 4,000 people attended the event to watch the horses, despite the fact that the expected good weather did not materialise.

Mark Donsworth, show director, said: “We were concerned but it has gone fantastically well this year. The entries are nearly what they were last year and the public has been fantastic.

“The lovely thing about this is the tradition of it. It is a wonderful experience to be a part of and it is one of the oldest horse shows in Suffolk and East Anglia.

“It is all encompassing-from the gymkhanas for the young ones, right through to the more professional show jumping.”

When the Woodbridge Horse Show was formed in 1871, its original purpose was to encourage horse breeding. The event derived its importance from being the first exhibition of the Suffolk Horse season.

The show is now the largest and oldest horse show in East Anglia. Since its early formation it has grown a few classes, to the current 117 classes covering a comprehensive range of events for Suffolk horses and light horses.

The one-day event attracts thousands of people every year who are either involved in the trade or are just interested members of the public.

There were also trade stands at the show to provide advice, and stalls, where people could buy kit for riding, bric-a-brac, jewellery and refreshments.

For dog owners who had brought their pet along, there was a fun dog agility event, which involved them negotiating their way around obstacles.

What do you like about the annual horse show? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.