Stark's course contributes to a 'cracking' week

The event drew record crowds over the weekend, the sun shone for all but one of the four days and there was praise all round for Ian Stark's cross-country course.

"A combination of beautiful weather and half-term meant that people came in their droves," said Pritchard.

"Looking at the weather I'm glad we ran last week and not this week."

Overall attendance was up by 5,000 on last year to 56,500.

The event usually runs a week later but was brought forward this year, starting on June 3. It will run similarly early next year, from June 2 to 5, which means it will coincide with school half-term again.

Former Olympic rider Stark, who also won at Bramham on three occasions, designed the cross-country course for the first time – his first CCI three-star course.

It was a big, bold course including a number of what he described as "old fashioned rider frighteners" and it drew praise from riders and British Eventing officials alike.

"We are already planning for next year – and looking forward to what Ian has in store," said Nicholas Pritchard.

Members of the Junior Novice team from Holme Valley Riding Club are celebrating their success at the Festival of the Horse Challenge at Aston-le-Walls at the weekend.

The team not only won their class but also took the award for All Four Scores to Count, making them the British Riding Clubs' Junior Novice Showcross National champions.

They completed the course of show jumps followed by cross country on a score of 16.8 penalties, 10 clear of the team placed second.

Making up the team were: Melissa Searby, 17,of Overton, Wakefield, riding Lowmoor Libby; Noah Brook, 14, from Emley, Huddersfield, riding Silver Dollar; Emma Bradbury, 12, from Diggle, Saddleworth, riding Jessica; and Jenna Watson, 13, from Lindley, Huddersfield riding Kenny.

Ben Wright, 15, from Flockton Moor, Huddersfield rode Lady Laura to finish eighth in the Junior Open Individual class.

Sam Ecroyd, 13, from Holywell, Flintshire became the youngest winner of the Charles Owen British Pony Championships which were held at Brand Hall in Shropshire at the weekend.

Riding Catherstone Nutsafe, Sam won by just 0.3 of a mark. They finished on their dressage score of 44.3.

This pony has now won back-to-back national titles with two different riders and has already made two European Pony Championship appearances.

Second place went to Sophie Beaty, 14, from Finedon in Northamptonshire with Done and Dusted VI. They also finished on their dressage score, one of only three combinations to do so in the competition.

Jodie McGregor, 15, from Leyburn in North Yorkshire was third.

She finished on the same score as Sophie but as Sophie was closer to the optimum time on the cross-country, this gave her the edge.

The event was hotly contested this year as selection is imminent for the Charles Owen British Pony squad who will compete in the FEI Pony European Championships at Bishop Burton College next month.

The shortlist of riders and ponies will be announced on Friday.