Qualifiers for the Challenge had been held at several UK Chasers courses around the country during the year.

The event is unique to UK Chasers because in addition to the cross-country fences, riders have a gate to open and close whilst mounted, a walking section and some show-jumps to clear at the end of the course. All this has to be completed as close as possible to the time which is set on the day.

The competition was due to be held in September but like many other events this year had to be postponed due to the prolonged wet weather. However, there were120 competitors on the day in the six different sections. Many competitors stayed on to take part in the Thornton Lodge Hunter Trial the following day.

The first class was the junior minimus and Amelia Hattersley on her two ponies Chloe and Sixpence took the first two places achieving clear rounds with both. Third place was taken by Karl Deighton on Rio only separated from Amelia by time points.

The senior minimus was won by Wynne Spencer on Becky, followed by Bridie Taylor on Romany Rye and Bev Curtis on Graff.

The largest class of the day was the junior novice with 40 competitors. It was won by Natalie Anderson on Bailey's Irish Dream from Bedlington, closely followed by Lorcan Murtagh on Maddy. Lorcan is nine years old and a member of Cumberland Farmers' Hunt Pony Club. Third in this section was Nadine Field on Hoppenhoff Paulien.

Di Nicholson on Tiffany came first in the senior novice and the combined age of this combination is over 70, definitely a win to be proud of. They were closely followed by Linda Heslop on El Fandango, from Newcastle, and third was Freya Swan, from Bishop Auckland, riding Grace.

Bronte Hall on Brookhouse Welsh Guard, a 16 hh gelding, took the open title with Laura Bebb on Tucker coming second and Viki Seller on Marbles was third.

Thirty-one teams entered the pairs, which was won by Andrew Bartlett on Shadow and Rory Dixon on Jack. They were followed by Jen and Lucy Corner on Tigger and Hamish, third were Helen Orton and Sue Hovington with Pebbles and Merlin.

The annual Hallowe'en Hunter Trial was held on October 26 and the joint winners of the minimus were Laura Dunn on Stoney and Karen Charlton riding Tyler.

Junior novice was Katy Bell riding Ozzy and senior novice was Emma Whiting riding Bobby Rio.

Pairs winners were Julie Woodcock riding Aztec and Beth Robson riding Riley.

The Open winner was 11-year-old Charlotte Dennis riding Todd.