NORTH Herefordshire Hunt's hunter trial on May 7 held at Hilltop Cross Country Course near Ledbury drew nearly 200 riders and a donation of £680 was raised for County Air Ambulance.

Despite the difficult ground conditions on many courses at the beginning of May, due to the lack of rain, the ground at Hilltop was in good condition. Their policy of topping the grass rather than grazing it always provides excellent grass cover in dry weather, and rolling in the spring ensures the ground is always level. This ground maintenance, together with the all weather take-offs and landings at all the jumps, ensures that competitors can always ride with confidence.

Riders came from as far afield as north Shropshire and west Wales, but several local riders were among the ribbons.

North Herefordshire Hunt member Gemma Davies won the 2ft 3in pre-novice (senior) class, as well as the pre-novice pairs with her riding partner Aidan Smout. Jessica and Georgina Rainey from the North Ledbury Hunt came second and sixth in the 2ft 9in junior novice.

Kate Ebery from the Golden Valley Pony Club came second in the 2ft 3in pre-novice juniors and fifth in the 2ft 9in junior novice.

Mady Jacob from the Mercian Trec Club came third in the 2ft 9in senior novice, and Kathleen Rowney from Hereford and District Riding Club came fifth.

Maddy and Kathleen also came first in the novice pairs, with Miranda and Isabel Ross from the North Hereford Hunt taking the third spot. Tracy McLaughlin from the North Herefordshire Pony club came third in the 3ft 3in open and Darcy Baynham from the South Hereford Pony club came fifth.

Results Pre-novice juniors (2ft 3in) - 1 Kirstin James (Sweep), 2 Kate Ebery (Sweep); pre-novice seniors (2ft 3in) - 1 Gemma Davies (Jack), 2 Charlie Gay (Say You Will); pre-novice pairs (2ft 3in) - 1 Gemma Davies/Aidan Smout (Amber/Adonis), 2 Franzisca Goess-Saurau/Anna Horton (Tyson/Nico); junior novice (2ft 9in) - 1 Annelie Lewis (Cassie), 2 Jessica Rainy (Alfie); senior novice (2ft 9in) - 1 Jim Wright (Granite), 2 Neil Reid-Warrilow (Ross); novice pairs (2ft 9in) - 1 Maddy Jacob/ Kathleen Rowney (Fillie), 2 Holly Chan/Adam Wedge (Just Quiz/Bedazzled); open (3ft 3in) - 1 Faye Hopkins (Dunble), 2 Annelie Lewis (Atlas).