There was some serious equestrian talent on display during the six-day Menlo Charity Horse Show last week, with some 500 horses and their riders dazzling spectators as they vied for prizes in about 300 classes of competition.

The annual horse show was held at the Menlo Circus Club in Atherton from Aug. 6 to 11.

The nonprofit Menlo Charity Horse Show was begun in 1970 as a philanthropic organization, and it has continued its original mission for nearly a half-century.

In recent years, the event's proceeds have benefited the Palo Alto-based nonprofit Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, which served more than 3,700 clients in San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties last year, according to the organization.

The horse show over the years has raised more than $6 million for the Vista Center, according to the Menlo Charity Horse Show website.