Cyclone Gita was no deterrent for the many competitors who travelled long distances to compete at the American Quarter Horse Association's 39th National Show held in Hawera last week.
Show manager Jan Robinson said it did cause a few problems on the show management side with loss of power on the Wednesday morning, but they got the show on the road pretty close to the scheduled starting time despite the hiccups.
Competitors who were staying at the grounds when the storm hit all worked together to make sure horses and everyone were safe.
![Catherine Ladd from Douglas.](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/SWJLELMAZE7JCVROEXSWRMW62M.jpg?auth=24507c55b9b8e7628d37feb876e8e8674511a9f222fc420151ef95a9ced14515&width=16&height=25&quality=70&smart=true)
Judge Michael Ochetto from the United States had flown into Taranaki when the storm hit.
Local riders Catherine Ladd, Kerrin Coleman and Niki Perrett held the flag high for Taranaki, winning and placing highly in their classes and taking home a number of golden horse trophies.