The third annual Suffolk Punch Family Fun Horse and Dog Show was held in Hollesley on Saturday.

The event has raised in the region of £1,000 for the charity, based at Hollesley, which works to preserve the Suffolk Punch bloodline through its breeding programme.

Several classes were open to entrants on the day, including young handler and veteran classes, handy horse and pony, horse and hounds and minimus.

Taking the title of overall supreme champion of show for the horse entries was Rachel Woodward, riding Mitchell Troy Thomas, and taking the reserve place was Joe Mace on Smartie.

For the dog entries, best in show went to Louise, who did not give her surname, with her dog Henry, and in reserve was Dawn Farnish with Toby.

Stud manager Tracey Pettitt said: “It did go really well, it was a good turnout. The weather was on our side.

“The dog entries were high, the horse entries were good.

“We had a steady flow at the centre. Lots of happy faces.

“First time people were coming into the show ring and going away with a ribbon, which is exactly what we wanted.

“It’s a very happy but relaxed atmosphere. We wanted to try and avoid the sort of atmosphere you normally get at events. We’re taking the pressure away.

“We have had some

fantastic feedback about the show and how it was

run.”

Sponsorship gained for each of the classes before the event, to cover the costs of rosettes, trophies and medals, means that all funds raised through entry fees go

directly to the Suffolk Punch Trust.

“What we raised will go into our own charity, towards allowing us to continue what we are doing, which is to save the Suffolk Punch horse,” added Ms Pettitt. “We have got one of the largest numbers of Suffolk Punch at one stud farm.

“The blood line is over 200 years old and it’s our job to make sure that that bloodline is continued.”