RAIN didn’t stop play when Worcester and District Riding Club held its annual show at Hanbury, near Droitwich, on Sunday.

The show was in full swing when the heavens opened at noon but determined riders of all ages and abilities battled the elements to win prizes, rosettes and sashes.

The pick-and-mix dressage proved very popular, with Nina Willison on Flashman winning the intro A, Debbie Fitzpatrick on Indie winning the prelim 4 and Abby Treadwell Hand on Vallian winning the novice 24 honours.

The reserve champion in the ridden showing ring – Vicki Hancox – had a superb day, winning riding club horse, ridden hunter and open working hunter.

She was also champion in the working hunter ring, going on to win supreme of show on Lady of Athenrye.

The Pony Club pony class was won by Georgina Ritchie on Candy and junior best rider of the day was Lauren Carpenter on Whoopsadaisy. She was also third in the Pony Club pony class and was junior showing champion.

Snapping at her heels was Jessica Thomas on Precious Gem, second in the Pony Club pony class, winner of the open working hunter pony and reserve champion in the working hunter ring.

Jessica’s mum, Julie Thomas, of Wards Farm Equestrian, was one of the show sponsors.

And farrier Ben Hart, who sponsored the working hunter ring, won back one of his own rosettes, being placed in the mountain and moorland mature in-hand showing class.

Show-jumping started with 45cm jumps and mums lending a hand at the end of a lead rope. It progressed through assisted – where helpers could offer encouragement inside the ring – and went on to a Pony Club Dengie qualifier, which was won by Gage Ghandi riding Afron Dance – jumping 90cm.

And the fancy dress competition, with prizes provided by Horsatack, was won by native American Indian Olivia Dawes on Ebony, with Sophie Watkins on Magic – last year’s winner – a close second.

“Unfortunately, because of the torrential rain, we had to race through many classes but everyone was in good humour and hundreds of rosettes were given out to competitors aged from five to 60-something, so it was a successful, if soggy, day,”

said Worcester Riding Club chairman Alison Harris.

“The show could not run without the support we receive from local sponsors such as vets MacArthur Barstow and Gibbs, Ben Hart, Wards Farm Equestrian, Greenland Medical Services, Enigma lorry repairs, chartered veterinary physiotherapist Charlotte Harris and HLM Volvo specialists, to whom we are most grateful for enabling so many people to have a great time.”