Horses and their riders are descending on Oamaru in their droves this week.
The town is hosting the Springston Trophy, beginning tomorrow and concluding on Sunday.
Dubbed the southern hemisphere's largest pony club event, the Springston Trophy brings together clubs from around the South Island.
An impressive turnout of 40 teams and 210 riders will contest the 2018 event, hosted by the North Otago Pony Club at the Oamaru Racecourse.
The majority of teams consist of six riders, two each in the senior, intermediate and junior grades.
However, some teams will compete as two-age teams, in which they will have riders in only two grades, and start with a 25 point penalty.
The event begins at 9am tomorrow with the dressage.
Teams will compete sequentially through to 3.15pm.
On Saturday the cross country begins at 9am, while the showjumping takes place at 10am on Sunday.
The team parade and presentations are scheduled for just after 1.30pm on Sunday.
Clubs being represented from Otago include North Otago, Dunedin, South Otago, Cromwell, West Taieri, Waikouaiti, Hawea Wanaka, Clyde and Wakatipu.
Just four Otago teams have won the event since it began in 1972 - Wakatipu in 2007 and 2009, and Balmoral in 1994 and 1995.
