THERE was no time to hold your horses at the Denbigh and Flint Show as the popular light horses competitions were fiercely contested with a wealth of stellar talent on show.

The Mountain and Moorland Ridden, Ex-Racehorses and Cleveland Bays classes took to the grass stage, while the Open Ridden Hunter (ORH) class enjoyed the Thursday morning sunrise patched with cloud - but no rain!

The ORH Class 10 saw seven horses aged four and above weighing in at 14 stone with seven of the horses strutting their beauty out on the field.

They were judged in two sections: first, the riders were observed on their horses whilst riding, walking, trotting and cantering. A designated judge then rode the horses to feel their ride in first-person, followed by close analysis of the horses physiology and confirmation by all the judges.

Jen Merrison, volunteer steward for Class 10, said: “The Open Ridden Hunter is a great class.

“The riders demonstrate their control of the horses before the judges observe their confirmation and the judge rides them all himself.

“They’re supposed to be able to ride the horse all day and this is how the horses are judged.”

Winner of the ORH Class 10 was Zara Owen, riding six-year-old male Hokey Cokey.

Ms Owen said: “The ride went very well and Hokey was a nice ride for the judge.

“You always live in hope that you will win but it’s not guaranteed. I’m thrilled.”