THOUSANDS of people revelled in all things equine and canine at the 51st Mathon Horse and Dog Show.

Sunday's event raised money for village funds as well as the County Air Ambulance, Acorns Children's Hospice appeal and Riding for the Disabled Association.

Organising committee chairman Susanna Morel said: "It went very well indeed. It was ridiculously busy and absolutely packed out. Terrific.

"Everyone has decided that it's now the biggest show in Herefordshire and Worcestershire, apart from the county shows like the Three Counties.

"We distributed about £3,000 last year and this year it's got to be well, well over that."

Riders competed in a gymkhana before twelve classes of dog competition began.

Mrs Morel believes the show has bucked the trend for similar events.

"I've been to lots of shows like ours this year and they've all said numbers are down yet we were absolutely chocablock," she said.

However, Mrs Morel will no longer oversee the event. She expects to remain on the organising committee but is standing down as chairman after five years.

"It's just so much work. I was out for ten hours on Saturday, 12 hours on Sunday. I'm not complaining but five years of it is enough," she said. "We've picked it up from stopping and got it going. Now someone else can take over the reins."

Meanwhile, one visitor to the show is missing out on a helicopter trip for two around the Malvern area. They did not put their name on their winning raffle ticket. The owner of yellow ticket 128 should ring 01885 490239 to claim their prize.

HORSE SHOW RESULTS

Supreme in-hand championship: Nancy Tickle, Cirencester. Supreme ridden championship: Alice Pearson, Bredenbury. Best turned-out pony and rider: Libby Handy, Callow End. Best turned-out horse and rider: A) K Lancaster, Malvern; B) Lara Hunt, Droitwich. Best Pony Club pony/horse: Helen Smith, Martley. Best riding club pony/horse: Karen Cholerton. Open coloured horse or pony: Alison Twinberrow, Broadwas. Open show hunter pony: Alice Daffurn. Open show hunter horse: Melanie Viner. Working hunter: Alice Pearson, Bredenbury. Showjumping (on or off lead rein). Child: Patrick-Laura Langton, Winchcombe. Adult: Eve Bayliss. Showjumping: A) Becky Cain, Malvern. B) Jenny Perkins, Cradley. Horse and hound challenge: Meggie Garfield, Ridgeway Cross. Open novice jumping - ponies or horses: Katy Martin-Smith, Sinton Green. Open jumping: Sophie Perry, Cross Bank, Malvern. Open coloured horse or pony: Andrew Ward, Birmingham. Veteran: Nancy Tickle, Cirencester. In-hand sports horse: Sarah Paine, Ludlow. Young handler: Harriet Snell

Veteran - ridden: Nancy Tickle, Cirencester. Mountain and moorland ponies small breeds - in hand: Charlotte Thomson, Kidderminster. Mountain and moorland ponies large breeds - in hand: Alison Moseley, Storridge. Mountain and moorland ponies small breeds - ridden: Laura Hunt, Droitwich. Mountain and moorland ponies breeds - ridden: Tamsin Plummer, Dymock. Family pony: Laura Hunt, Droitwich. Open fancy dress: Lizzie and Gorgia Dean, Cradley. Dressage number one: Holly Latham, Storridge. Dressage number two: Niki Allton.

DOG SHOW Results

Best working dog or bitch: Mo Wood, Leominster. Best dog or bitch over seven years: Sam Walker, Hereford. Dog most like its owner: Ian Wells with Claude. Dog with best waggiest tale: F Moffat-Roberts, Hereford.