Townend leads the way at Park trials

Entries for the popular event have been excellent say the organisers. The event includes five pre-novice and two novice sections.

Former Olympic medallist Ian Stark, who designed this year's Bramham cross-country course, has made a number of changes to the Allerton course. As well as introducing many new jumps, including the water complex, the track has been altered to allow longer galloping sections.

Among the well-known riders competing will be Yorkshire's Oliver Townend, who is competing on both days with a number of young horses as well as one of his top rides, ODT Master Rose.

Former Olympic riders Jeanette Brakewell and Karen Dixon will be competing along with British team member Nicola Wilson. Up-and-coming names include Borougbridge-based James Somerville and Rachel Lupton, from near Richmond.

THIS summer has been a successful one for sisters Georgia and Izzy Rae, who live at Huby near Easingwold. Georgia, 17, was selected for the Northern England Open Girls Tetrathlon team which went on to win the championships in Swansea. The sport involves a three-minute swim, 1,500m run, air-pistol shooting and a cross-country competition.

Izzy, 14, who qualified her show-jumping pony for the Horse of the Year Show, was selected for the England 138cm team at the Scottish Home Pony International at Rowallan in August, where the team won silver.