The 8-year-old pony was sporting a two-tone blue "earpiece" that protected his ears from the loudspeaker noise at what was his first time showjumping, Beau’s owner, Jess Hore (9), of Beaumont Station, said.
Beau, whose show name is "Magical Spirit", had a "good run" on his first day and was fast becoming part of the family, having been owned by the Hore family for only three weeks, Jess said.
"He’s pretty cool. He can get a little bit speedy, but it’s because he loves it."
Jess is also competing on a show pony, "Glenmore Lucky I Am", at the Mt Benger show, and she will take Glenmore to Hastings for the Horse of the Year event next month.
She was one of about 120 riders who competed on 150 horses yesterday at the Mt Benger show, which will continue today alongside the Roxburgh Classic Car Show and the Otago-Southland Young Farmer of the Year regional final at the Roxburgh Racecourse, in Roxburgh East.
Mt Benger A&P Society secretary Dinah Wales said it was the most riders and horses ever entered in the show.
The increase was thought to be partly from a "general uplift" in interest in equestrian events, and also because of the new format of the show.
Last year was the first time the Mt Benger A&P Show was held at the racecourse, and the first time it was spread over two days, mainly because it also included the arrival of the Goldfields Cavalcade.
The two-day format and the new venue had been "incredibly popular" and were the reason why the event was again being held over two days at the racecourse this year, Mrs Wales said.
