NOVICE riders from the region competed against some of the country's best equestrians at the weekend.
Three days of horse trials at Witton Castle, in County Durham, brought together hundreds of horses and riders.
The British Eventing-affiliated trials gave riders a chance to earn points in dressage, showjumping and cross country that could see them progress to higher levels of competition.
There was a field of 530 horses.
Sean Fowden, who with his wife, Judith, runs Big Splash Events, which organised the trials, said: "There was a really good attendance by riders and spectators and lots of good performances.
"The 3.6km advanced cross-country course was changed from previous years. It was designed by international rider Ian Stark to have plenty of ups and downs and be challenging, but suitable for riders who are new to the advanced class."
The contest in the advanced class was so close that the top two riders, Great Britain's Oliver Townend and Nicola Wilson, tied in first place with the same points.
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