from Show Jumping & Show Hunter  (dated 19 Nov)

The three day show, being hosted by the Central District Showjumping Group at Foxton from November 26-28, has attracted 685 entries, and they're even expecting the odd late one too.

But the inn is full. Central Districts group chairman Peter Barnett says despite getting in an extra 260 temporary yards, they've simply run out of yard space.

“Who knows why,” he says. “We're slightly up on the 650 combinations we had when we hosted the champs in 2006, but perhaps there are more coming from further afield this time.”

But one thing is for sure – plenty like to come to the show because its known for top competition on excellent footing, plenty of fun and being well run.

“We've got a great team of very supportive volunteers here,” says Barnett. “We're a lucky region.”

And he says they're also pretty blessed with the footing at the showgrounds through the five arenas – four for showjumping and one for show hunter – where “it's never rock and never soup”.

“We're irrigating now but it could rain for a week and we'd still be fine.”

It won't do that though – he's already checked (and re-checked) the long range forecast and even that box has been ticked.

One of the highlights of the show will surely be the 1.15m speed class that has the qualifier on the Saturday morning with the feature top 20 shootout in front of the marque in the early evening. With a pool for prize money – that's already cracked $650 for the winner – it attracts all-comers.

Dazza is back to supply the entertainment for the rest of the Saturday night party, and with the trucks all parked up around the arenas, it's not far to get 'home' at night's end.