British Riding Clubs (BRC) received a record number of entries for their Festival of the Hunter championships which took place at Grange Farm, Wittering near Peterborough last weekend (1 June). A staggering 520 competitors took part in this one-day festival of the horse, comprising open and novice hunter classes for both junior and senior BRC members and showing classes for cobs to novice hunters. Liz Prest, Financial Director of sponsors Kbis Equine Insurance, was delighted with the sheer volume of entries.

Senior Novice Hunter Trials
Hailsham RC
East Sussex based Hailsham RC took the team title and trophy in the senior novice hunter trials with an excellent performance seeing them finish as the only team on zero penalties. Runners up were Maelor who were awarded the trophy for the 'best four scores counting' with a total of four penalties overall. Along with the trophy and ribbons, the Hailsham team also received a subscription to Horse and Hound Magazine .

Stoneleigh RC
The individual title was awarded to Rachel Horton-Barr and Del Boy Trotter from Warwickshire based Stoneleigh Riding Club. Rachel, originally reserve for the team, was thrilled with the ride Del gave her and very pleased to receive her sash and silverware along with a waistcoat from Kbis and a rug from Horse and Hound Magazine .

Senior Open Hunter Trials
Sevenoaks RC
Travelling up from Kent, the Sevenoaks squad reigned supreme in the challenging senior open contest, taking both the team title and the individual awards. Sara Roberts had a superb round on Belzao and finished the day off in style draped in sashes and rosettes. The 'all four scores to count' trophy was awarded to Sussex based Ardingly RC.

Junior Open Hunter Trials
Ingatestone & Blackmore
The Ingatestone and Blackmore junior open team put Essex on the map taking the junior open title. Veteran horse in the team was Bounce who, at 24 years old, is still an exciting ride.

Northallerton
The junior open individual championship went to Stephanie Harrison and her striking grey, Sir Paedric from Yorkshire based Northallerton RC. Stephanie received a waistcoat from Kbis and goodies from Horse and Hound.

Showing Championships
Best in Show
The overall champions across all of the showing rings went to Paul James and his stunning cob No Joke. Paul travelled all the way from Newquay in Cornwall for the event. The combination won the Cob section in 2002 and were delighted to improve on this with the Best in Show title. Paul received a waistcoat from Kbis Equine Insurance and a rug from Horse and Hound plus a twelve-month subscription to Horse Magazine .

Results:
Ridden Lightweight Hunter
1st Anne Clinch, Sue B Too; Canterbury RC

Ridden Middleweight Hunter
1st Tammie Corser, Uncle Ernie; Atherstone

Ridden Heavyweight Hunter
1st Claire Ryan, Windwards Fizziwizard; Laffak

Ridden Novice Hunter
1st Judith Cartwright, Hannington; Rugby

Ridden Cob
1st Paul James, No Joke; Newquay

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