THIS year’s ladies’ side saddle class at Balmoral Show also had a new format with the judges, who didn’t ride the exhibits nor have them stripped, awarding marks for conformation and action, manners and way of going, the rider and turnout of horse and rider.

This ‘classic’ competition saw the entry grow from 11 in 2008 to 18 last Thursday when two combinations were awarded scores of over 80% by judges Dale Atkinson and Vicky Smith. These were Rebecca Rafter and Roanwood Mick Dundee (88) and Andrea McKee with her 10-year-old Crosstown Dancer mare Dancing Queen (86).