Bramham ready for Stark new challenge

As well as reversing the direction of the courses, he has incorporated a number of natural parkland features and also some new fences.

The former Olympic rider has been involved with course design over the past six years, including events in Ireland and the USA but Bramham will be his first CCI three-star track.

The CCI three-star and Bishop Burton College Under-25 CCI three-star course has 29 fences with 37 jumping efforts and measures about 6,000 metres. It should take about 10-and-a-half minutes for horse and rider to complete.The CIC three-star course is slightly shorter with 23 fences and 32 jumping efforts.

Course builder Gary Podmore has been busy constructing the new fences, including a giant pair of wooden jodhpur boots at a new water fence. Estate staff have also been concentrating on making sure the going for the horses will be good and have been watering, rolling, mowing and aerovating the ground ready for the event, which begins on June 3.

"I hope I have produced a course to live up to Bramham's reputation with the riders, owners and spectators," said Stark.

"I've tried to combine the old and new – big, galloping fences and technical lines to make the riders think. Bramham will always have a special place in my eventing memories, having won here four times. Little did I think when I rode here in 1979 that I'd be back 21 years later as course designer – where did all those years go?"

A guide to the course and fences will be published in the Yorkshire Post on cross-country day, June 5.

For tickets and timetable, go to www.bramham-horse.co.uk.

Fortune favours the bold in Camp Hill event

Camp Hill'S Spring Hunter Trial also incorporated a qualifier for the BHS Cross Country Championships at Eland Lodge, Derbyshire in September with the first two BHS gold members in each class going forward to it.

The pairs class was won by Emma Jenkins and Jane Tooms, from York, with Emma Herbert Davies and Jo O'Dell, from Otley, qualifying for Eland Lodge.

There were 150 competitors divided into three sections to contest the Novice class with local rider Steph Pybus winning section A and Nicola Smith, from New Marske, the winner in section B.

Hannah Walker, from Northallerton, and Claire Farley, from Middlesbrough, shared first place in section C.

Fortune favoured the bold when riding the open course with the new Ultimate Corner riding well for those who took the direct route. Helen Orton, from Zetland country, won the senior section and another local, Steph Bradley, won the juniors.

Diane Hodgson, from Staithes, qualified both her horses for Eland Lodge.

HOPE Pastures horse sanctuary at Weetwood, Leeds is holding an open day tomorrow from 10.30am.

The sanctuary costs over 5,000 a month to run and relies on public donations.

"We desperately need more money to meet the increased costs of feeding and caring for the horses," said volunteer fund-raiser Karen Stirk.

There will be a variety of stalls plus food provided by Leeds Vegetarian Society. The entrance fee is 50p for adults and children go free. More information is available from www.hopepastures.org.

Wilkinsons make it a family affair with success at the castle

THE Wilkinson family from Halifax were out in force at the NEDTL carriage-driving event at Ripley Castle with John, son Ross and daughter Tara taking part in three separate classes.

Ross, 14, kept his lead throughout the three phases to win the Novice pony class while his sister Tara, 13, also the overnight leader, took first place in the Pre-Novice class.

There were some eliminations in the other classes however, including dad John, who had started marathon day in second place.

In the open classes, Judy Hilditch, from Wakefield, won the Open Horse and Glenys Ellis, from Wakefield, took the Open Pony class.

Other results included: Intermediate Pony – Rosie Mould, Northumberland; Novice Horse – Trevor Holmes, Lincoln; Intermediate Horse – Steve Nichols, Thirsk; Pairs – Sarah Bower, Barnoldswick; Multiples – Pat Cooper, Wetherby.

THE squad of British Para Showjumping riders who competed at La Baule in France all rode well and dominated the top placings.

The results included first, second and third places in the Grade 2 competitions with Heather Bennett, from Goole, taking the top spot. Alex McNamara, from Louth, was second and Karen Bostock, from Huddersfield came third.

Heather Bennett, riding her second horse, also came fifth in the Grade 3/4 competitions.

CW 22/5/10