The weather was a complicating factor, but entrants in Fashion in the Field put on a brave showing at the blustery Roxburgh Trots yesterday.
Cold winds blew, rain fell throughout the day and the temperature was just over 7degC at 1pm. But organisers simply shifted the fashion event from an outside catwalk to one inside the tearooms building, and the show went on.
Outside, racegoers donned jackets and gumboots and stood under umbrellas to shelter from the weather.
Inside, Fashion in the Field entrants slipped on extra layers between parading and judging.
Bev Kenny, of Lawrence, who won the women's category in a baby pink linen dress she made the day before the event, sunk into a long woollen coat she also made.
Sharyn Harrex, who lives in both Roxburgh and Australia and who, with her husband, Trevor, won the prize for best-dressed couple, wrapped a puffy jacket around her striped pink dress.
''We're used to 38degC in Australia. This weather's a bit of a shock.''
Helen Curtin, of Rolleston, who won the women's category at last year's event, this year came second in a dress she made with material purchased for $5 from a charity shop, said one jacket wasn't enough. ''I've got a denim jacket and a puffer jacket too. It's just freezing.''
Roxburgh Trotting Club president Bill Bain said although the crowd was smaller than at last year's sun-burning race day, he was ''surprised, pleased and thankful'' for the good crowd that came yesterday.
''It just goes to show how dedicated harness racing followers are, and the commitment of the Teviot district to race day. You've just got to make the most of it. They've been very supportive.''
