THE sun came out on Sunday for the Port Royal end-of-season dressage championship.

The riders said goodbye to the winter season with a series of dressage classes for both juniors and seniors.

Michelle Bainbridge, of Port Royal, said: “As always, the championship was well supported. What is nice about the championship is how whole families turn out to support their riders – grandparents, parents, brothers and sisters and friends all add to a very special atmosphere and you can feel the excitement, and nerves, kicking in – it is very different to a normal competition and is something I really look forward to every year.

“It’s been a very long, cold wet winter but the weather did us proud and we enjoyed beautiful sunshine all day long which meant families stayed for the whole event and sat out at the picnic benches soaking up the fun. It really felt like the start of spring and there were huge smiles on everyone’s faces, and not just the winners.

“The competition was strong and riders put everything they had into their performances.”

Champions on the day included Christine Valentine on Parker in the senior Intro class, Emma Smith on BGS Salt and Pepper in the senior Prelim, Amy Wray on Sara in the senior Novice and Lucy Northern and Jenta in the Elementary.

The junior Intro rosette went to Brooke Harrison on Polo, and Megan Bainbridge riding Bellarusque of Daniel took both the junior Prelim and Novice titles.

Michelle added: “We are all very much looking forward to a successful - and warm - summer season with plenty of opportunities to compete here at Port Royal.”

For more images of the podiums, go to gazetteherald.co.uk/equestrian