Zara Tindall will go head-to-head with rising National Hunt star Bridget Andrews as the JCB Champions Challenge returns to Barbury on Saturday (8 July).
Zara and Bridget were announced today (Monday, 3 July) as the respective captains of the eventers’ and jump jockeys’ teams.
The timed jumping competition takes place in Barbury’s main arena over a specially-designed course and is in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund.
For World and European eventing champion Zara, this marks a return to the competition for the first time since the inaugural challenge in 2014.
Meanwhile former champion lady amateur Bridget is the first lady to captain the jockeys’ squad — which has a strong track record at Barbury, with back-to-back victories in 2014 and 2015.
However last year the eventers — led by Mark Todd — scored their first victory in the challenge and will be keen to hold on to the title for a second year.
“I hope the eventers can ‘lay up’ [keep up] with the jump jockeys as we are hungry to regain our JCB Champion Challenge crown at Barbury,” said Bridget.
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
The competition looks set to be close with both teams boasting serious credentials.
Joining Zara on the eventing squad are Olympians Jonty Evans and Dan Jocelyn, representing Ireland and New Zealand, and multiple young rider medallist Holly Woodhead.
“The eventers are ready and plan to put on a real show for visitors to Barbury and the jump jockeys should expect to see just a distant rear view of us,” quipped Zara.
Lining up next to Bridget are weighing-room stars and multiple Cheltenham Festival winners Nico de Boinville, Wayne Hutchinson and Harry Skelton.
Tickets will be available on the gate, at £20 on Saturday, with free entry for under-12s. Visit barburyhorsetrials.co.uk for details.
For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.
