COEUR d'ALENE - Dressed in the style of the English countryside, the horseback riders were looking dapper on Saturday afternoon.

They wore cream-colored pants, collared jackets and black helmets. Their steeds were black, brown and white, some with decorated manes or braided tails.

As they circled the ring at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds, kicking up a cloud of gritty dust, the riders steered their mounts carefully. They hoped to impress the show's judges, and maybe take home a handsome prize.

"It's a beautiful day, we're on our horses, it couldn't be better," said Kim Edmondson of Hayden.

The 43-year-old horsewoman is riding her American quarter horse, Grand, at the North Idaho Fair Open Horse Show this weekend. Participating in the 19-and-over division, Edmondson sat on Grand's tall back as she waited for the next round.

"Usually he ends up enjoying himself by the end of the day," she said of the 7-year-old horse.

Riders from Sandpoint, Spirit Lake, Athol and Spokane are participating in this year's three-day show - about 130 people altogether. The event includes halter, jumping, equitation and driving classes, with both English and Western styles represented.

"We're up on our entries, and we still have one more day. So we're excited," show secretary Hayle Carver said Saturday. "And the weather's awesome."

All proceeds from the show help fund the North Idaho Fair and Rodeo. Winners receive a three-day stall at the fair, where they can display their horses with pride.

Colorful ribbons and shiny belt buckles are also coveted prizes.

"It's going real good," said Heath Sande of Coeur d'Alene, whose daughter, 8-year-old Makena, is riding a Shetland pony in the Open Horse Show. "It's her first year."

Makena's aunt, two cousins and grandma are showing this weekend, too.

"It's a big family affair now," Heath said.

Two well-mannered horses relaxed next to Terri Nethercott's trailer, parked in an open field adjacent to the fairgrounds. Her light brown Arabian, Biscuit, munched on a bag of hay.

"I'm typically a trail rider, not a show person," Nethercott said. But she was "really proud of (Biscuit). He's doing really well."

Her 9-year-old daughter, Kristen, guided an Appaloosa named Rocky. The pair took part in two walk/trot classes.

"They just tell you to walk, trot, stop or reverse," said Kirsten, who wore a neat riding outfit and helmet. "It's not really hard."

The Open Horse Show is for riders of all ages, on just about any kind of mount. There's Appaloosas, Arabians, paints, pintos, quarter horses, mules and donkeys, ranging from the tallest steed to the shortest pony.

Western classes begin today at 7 a.m., and spectators can watch for free.

"Little sun, little dirt. Good horse show," said event manager Chelsea Rosenberger. "People love it. A good tradition."