This year, the St. Croix equestrian club's competition took place at the West End Pony Club at Sprat Hall, Frederiksted on the Northside of the island. Many youngsters got a chance to compete and display their riding skills. We did not get to cover the entire event, which lasted two days, but we were there for the cross-country event in the junior division. Skills covered were: Dressage, Cross-Country Riding, Stadium Jumping and a Derby.

	The exhibition took place on a dry and comfortable weekend. Cars lined the entrance to the grounds. When we arrived, the dressage portion of the event was over and preparations for the cross-country trials were beginning. Judges were getting their orders and fanning out to their respective positions.

	Meanwhile in the paddock, the young riders saddled their horses and practiced a few jumps before their turns on the course.

	The dressage scores were tallied and posted. One happy young lady who thought her score was low, became elated when she found out that she was the top scorer. Other participants stopped by to see how they had placed.

	And then, it was time for the first rider in the novice division of the cross-country course to ride.

	The newly redone course includes brightly painted jumps and hurdles, fans and fences. The cross-country course traverses uphill, over the hill and around the hill. Also included in the layout of the grounds are fenced-off pens and paddocks for human safety while a horse is on the course.

	And our first rider was off! Over the first hurdle and around the hill to the other obstacles. Finally, the rider emerged and finished his ride, going over the hurdle monitored by the judges at that station.

	Back in the paddock, other contestants were getting their horses ready to run the course.

	In a few minutes, the next rider was up and galloping over the course.

	Getting through with the course, this rider seems to be happy with her performance. Meanwhile, the next rider is already getting set to run.

	Many more riders took to the course and were scored by the judges.

	Horses, horses everywhere.

	Horses and riders cool down after the trials.

A sweet snack for a good horse.