All the leaders, except one jeans-clad dad whose fate no-one need speculate about further, were dressed to the nines.
One of the few rules was that the adults had to wear sensible shoes.
Otherwise, self-expression ruled the day.
Megan Henderson, of Dunedin, competing with her daughter Katelyn (5) and pony Ollie, said she got talked into competing and had only done it once before, at a different show. Dressed in a striking white, gold and black combination for their first outing in Wanaka, at the last minute Mrs Henderson changed her white hat to black, matching the colour of Katelyn's riding helmet.
Hayden Wilson, of Mosgiel, with daughter Kayla (6) and pony Skipbbreen Indigo, said he was forced into it because his wife Sharon had refused.
He was the only man in pink, but wore it with pride.
Kristine Russell, of Dipton, with daughter Adine (7) and pony Mangkaraa Everglades, had her dark suit with red trim made by a Christchurch dressmaker.
Janice Jones, of Arrowtown, and daughter Chloe (5), competing with pony Harry, also chose red as a contrast colour.
But the Best in Parade went to a third red-and-black themed team, comprising Julie Wilson, of Balclutha, and her granddaughter Georgia Watt (7), of Winton, riding pony Aylestone Melody.
Mrs Wilson's winning outfit had a distinctive red button finish.
Second for sartorial elegance went to Stan Jones, of Arrowtown, with his daughter Alice (6) and her pony Sophia. Anna O'Brien, of Tarras, was third, with her young Tarras friend Jack Wilson (7) and his pony Woodrow Ambassador.
Judge Jo Wales, of Roxburgh, said everyone in the big class was dressed to a high standard, making it difficult to choose a winner.
