Ballarat Pony Club horse trials bring equine action to Victoria Park

Ballarat Pony Club's grounds in Victoria Park were a hive of activity across the weekend as it hosted a two-day horse trial attracting riders from across the state.

More than 270 riders and horses competed across three disciplines - dressage, showjumping and cross country.

Competitors meticulously prepared their horses for the dressage tests on Saturday, with the cross country competition taking place on Sunday and showjumping across the two days.

With many riders arriving as early as Friday, the car park was full with floats and campers and the precinct's 136 horse yards were fully occupied as competition got underway on Saturday.

Riders of all ages took part across the weekend, with classes ranging from low level pony club grades to open grade one competition with one of the highlights, the grade one showjumping, taking place in front of a big crowd on Saturday afternoon.

The horse trials is the main annual fundraiser for Ballarat Pony Club, which celebrates its 61st anniversary in December.

Article courtesy of Australian Community Media and The Ballarat Courier