THE Horse program brings a strong equine presence to the Marburg showground, riders and leaders arrive early to ready their animals for competition.

Heading up the Horse Section is Maxine Murphy, she’s in her eighth year of stewardship.

Classes include Led Thoroughbred, Riding Ponies, Pony Hunters, Ridden Riding Ponies, Galloway Hacks and led horses from the Irish Draught and Sport Horse Society.

Riders start at the same level and advance as they’re placed.

As the day goes on, entrants move into award categories until champions and supreme champions are judged.

There are multiple classes for children as well as novice classes where riders of all abilities can compete.

Maxine is hoping the harness classes will be a strong feature of the Horse section.

Her day begins in the early hours of Saturday morning,

For competitors and the crowd, the day begins at 7.30am in the centre ring with the start of the Futurity.

“The Horse section is such a good section,” Maxine says, as she outlines her plans to encourage competitors to take part in the Grand Parade.

“I've set a break in the program for 30 minutes before 1.30pm and I am going to try to get as many horses into the Grand Parade as possible.”

A feature item on the program of Show attractions in the equine sphere, is the displays by the Friesian Performance Troupe - a colourful demonstration of riding skills by costumed horsewomen riding Friesians - a breed of finer boned heavy horse that originated in Friesland in the Netherlands.

Show jumping starts at 7am when the course opens for walking and jumping classes start at 7.30am.

Some riders use their ride results as Interschool Qualifiers so competition will be fierce among competitors.

Entrants who place win prize money and a bag of feed.

Some classes run depending on daylight at the end of the day.