from The Gisborne Herald (dated 15 October 2010)

THE equestrian events at this year’s Gisborne A and P Spring Show have been reined in because of this week’s deluge.

The entire programme was revamped, with the main arena for showjumping closed and today’s start time shifted to midday.

Equestrian secretary Jenny Holden said some events were relocated indoors or to the Parkers Lane paddock, behind the equestrian area.

Today’s showjumping was in Ring 3. A few classes had been cancelled and some had been amalgamated.

The arena for tomorrow’s main showjumping events, the Gisborne Herald Grand Prix and the Open Pony Grand Prix, is likely to be indoors but will be finalised later today.

Horse flag classes will be in Parkers Lane and the pony flag classes have moved to the warm-up arena, which is beside the main arena.

A number of events were cancelled or relocated yesterday.

“We just made do with what the weather permitted but we’ve managed. Five showjumping classes were held — all show hunters and most of the dressage,” said Mrs Holden.

The wet weather also caused transportation delays for some competitors stranded in Hawke’s Bay due to the Napier to Wairoa highway being closed.

“A few local people also couldn’t get in because of flooding in the rural areas,” said Mrs Holden.