Seventy riders took part in the Dressage and Combined Test Horse Show held at Marc Donovan's Griffenfield Farm in Pinebluff Feb.10.

Amy Potts of Aberdeen swept the large Novice Division of the Combined Test phase with one of the best dressage scores of the day riding her mare, Absolution. Potts went on to the jumping phase and had a perfect round to cement her first-place finish.

Potts is a dressage rider who just began eventing last year.

"That's the highest dressage score (26) I've gotten on any horse ever," Potts said. "Plus, dressage was Abby's weakest area so I am pleased that she has improved so much."

Potts has owned the 11-year-old thoroughbred mare for two-and-a-half years. Potts won the Training Division Combined Test last year at Griffenfield with Abby.

However, this year because of some training issues, Potts backed down to novice to give Abby some confidence.

"It's really exciting to win considering we've had a rough time this year," Potts said.

A new resident of Southern Pines, Rachel Jurgens won the Preliminary Combined Test with her 10-year-old off-the-track thoroughbred, Ziggy. Jurgens, who moved here from Oregon last May, has owned Ziggy three years.

Jurgens used the Griffenfield show as a schooling event before moving Ziggy to the Intermediate Division at the upcoming Pine Top Event in Georgia.

"He (Ziggy) is a nervous horse so schooling shows help him get used to being around other horses," Jurgens said. "I want to thank Marc Donovan for doing these shows. I know it's a ton of work to put them on. All of us appreciate having a show like this in our own backyard."

Other local riders also had top placings at Griffenfield.

Amy Bresky earned a second-place finish in the large Beginner Novice Combined Test with a smoking dressage score of 26.8 and a clean jumping round riding her Victoriano ICS.

Barbara Gibson and Hawkeye placed third in the Maiden Combined Test. Karen McCollom placed second in the Training Level Combined Test.

Eleanor Phillips placed second in the Intermediate Level Combined Test riding her Bailey's Rebel Rhum.

In the dressage divisions, Alison Kelly-Coates won an eventing division of dressage with Irish Cavalier.

Cricket Gentry and her Never Better Magic came in second in a Dressage Test of Choice class.

For full results, go to www.webartistix.com/Griffenfield/results.