Against a background of mountains and forest, the horse and rider combinations seemed almost unreal as they appeared and disappeared in the swirling mist that surrounded the arena.

Local judge, Helle Wagner and visiting judge, Patrick Brown, had their work cut out to see every movement that the horses performed as drizzle fought with the heavy mist.

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Despite the extreme weather conditions, riders still flocked to the show to compete.

Leon Smith, organiser, said that this was only the second time that Kaapsehoop Horse Trails hosted the show, and that it had grown from last year’s event.

“We wanted to give riders an opportunity to compete in a less stressful environment, especially for those riding young horses, or those wanting to try out a higher level.”

In the novice category Sean Eggersglusz riding home-bred mare, Ponderosa Munando won with a score of 72,5 per cent, followed by Jen Davis on Chance Medley in second position.

In the novice test 3 category Eggersglusz took top honours again with Shari Oberholzer on Fircroft Vanquish in second position.

The junior rider who stood out at this show was Taylor Dedekind riding Lord of the Ring, who won both her elementary tests.