Smooth as silk around the ring

Northland riders fared well at the province's annual dressage championships which attracted more than 80 competitors, including a large out-of-town contingent.
It was a long day at Whangarei's Barge Park Showgrounds yesterday for competitors and their mounts.
They contested the event in a single day, instead of the usual two-day format.
Judges were on hand from Auckland and Northland to mark the riders and their horses on their execution in the arena and locals impressed.
In the open medium level, Whangarei's Lindsay Attwood was triumphant on board Ebony's Fella while reserve champion was another Whangarei competitor, Catherine Scott riding Aspiration.
Wellsford's Diana Sonerson and Southern Boy took out the medium level while Casey Johnson came runner-up riding Divas Glory MH.
In the novice class, Dargaville rider Debbie Martin put in a stylish performance on board Lea Rosa and was named reserve champion, while Julie Flintoff from Kerikeri took out the elementary level riding HR Windrush.