Riders and horses competed at the Yukon Summer Horse Show hosted by North Ridge at the Northern Tempo Equestrian Centre.

The three day event began Friday with timed events and games, like Gymkhana, Pole Bending and Barrel Racing.

Saturday and Sunday focused on equitation, the art or practice of horse riding and encompasses a rider’s ability to ride correctly.

The judge for the weekend was Lee Hardy, who was in the Yukon for the first time. Hardy has been a judge of Hunters, Jumpers and Equitation since 1990. She has judged at number of venues near Victoria, B.C.

Hardy, the only judge on site, explained what she was looking for from the riders.

Saturday afternoon the riders did a flat class, where they don’t do jumps. The horse walks, canters and gallops.

“They just go through different manoeuvres,” said Hardy. “What you are looking for in the hunters is a very stylish horse that has beautiful rhythm and a lovely flowing movement. Great shoulder movement that tracks up from behind and is just a pleasure to ride.”

Once the riders had done the flat class, they went into the jump courses. Hardy said the style and movement displayed in the flat class should carry over to the jumps.

“Hopefully that carry that over into the jumping portion,” said Hardy.

“Hopefully they have consistent strides because everything is measured in 12 foot increments. They have to take off six feet before the jump and land six feet after the jump.

“You can tell some horses can nail it and other horses don’t want anything to do with that. Then you are just looking for something that is stylish and has a lot of quality and the right temperament.”

Hardy was impressed with the horses, the riders and the dedication to the sport here in the Yukon.

“I’m really impressed,” said Hardy. “The dedication and the amount of effort and work everyone has put in. You can’t put on a show without them.”

Sunday, the riders and horses competed in the western performance classes.

North Ridge will also be hosting the Yukon Championship Horse Show in August and the Yukon Dressage Show in late August early September.