A RIDING school forced to shut by the foot-and-mouth crisis has bounced back with a show that surpassed all expectations.

The Backandside Riding Centre, at Hummerbeck, near West Auckland, needed a good turn-out for its first show back in business on Sunday.

Vince Williams, who runs the centre with business partner Jackie Moffett, said: "It was a fabulous success. We filled every class and must have had in excess of 120 entrants on the day. The closer the day got the more interest and phone calls I got. I was expecting a maximum of 50, but it was a really good turn-out and a fabulous advert for the rest of the year."

Mr Williams had to cancel three shows last year and access to the riding centre, which is via a bridle path, was closed completely.

He said: "All of the money we had saved from our first year in business had to go back into the horses to keep us going.

"It was vitally important we had a successful first show."

He said the most important aspect was the prospect that people would return for future events.

"The kids have gone away singing the praises of the show and hopefully they'll all come back later in the year with their pals.

"I want to thank all the competitors and all the people who popped in to have a look. I hope everybody had a good time."

Results: Tack and turnout eight years and under, Sophie Deighton; Riding class eight years and under, Sophie Deighton; Tack and turnout nine to 15-years, Mima Wilson; Riding class nine to 15-years, Rachel Metcalfe; Tack and turnout open, Sarah Sumner; Novice showjumping, Mark Briggs; Novice riding class, Anna Wallace; Pre-novice, Rachel Gibson; Novice, Rachel Gibson; Top score (accumulated), Brad Vaux.