The Northumberland Challenge is returning for 2023 with a bumper prize fund of £45,000 up for grabs.

The accumulator challenge will run across British Eventing fixtures Belsay International (31 May-4 June), Alnwick Ford International (23-25 June) and Burgham International (27-31 July). Organisers said that following the success of last year’s series, it was returning, and this year will take place across the CCI3*-S classes, as well as the CCI2*-S.

A potential prize of £20,000 is available in the CCI2*-S. Horse and rider combinations who achieve a top-three placing in the CCI2*-S at all three events will win a £2,000 bonus. If a combination wins two of the three events, a further £6,000 bonus will be awarded. And a further £7,000 is on offer for any combination that wins all three events.

In the CCI3*-S, a potential prize fund of £25,000 is available. Combinations who achieve a top-three placing in the CCI3*-S at all three events will win a £3,000 bonus. Those who win two of the three events will win a further £7,000 – and any combination that wins all three events will be awarded a £15,000 bonus.

The challenge was put together by Belsay event director Laura de Wesselow and Alnwick and Burgham director Craig Anderson, with the help of sponsors AW Jenkinson Forest Products, Encon, NIS Construction Ltd, and McClarron Sports Ltd.

“We are hugely grateful to our sponsors for enabling us to offer this fantastic accumulator prize fund,” said Laura.

“We are always trying to improve our offer for both professional and amateur competitors and their owners, and the opportunity to win some decent money is an important part of that.”

Craig added: “The Northumbrian trio of Burgham, Alnwick Ford and Belsay are the premier international horse trials in this part of the country and as event organisers, we are working together and with our sponsors to attract top riders to our fantastic venues.

“We are also extremely grateful to McClarrons Sport for creating this deal, and hope that other organisers are inspired to create similar bonus pots.”

Oliver Townend won the first leg of the Northumberland Challenge in 2022.

“I have always loved eventing in the North and have been lucky enough to enjoy considerable success at all three of the Northumberland Challenge venues. They are special places, and more people should make the effort to go to them, both as competitors and spectators. I’ll be back this year for a crack at this great series,” he said.

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A £22,000 prize fund is up for grabs in a new British Eventing (BE) challenge, encouraging riders to “make the journey north”.

BE venues in Northumberland have teamed up to launch the accumulator prize fund, the Northumberland CCI2* Challenge. The series will run across Belsay International (2-5 June), Alnwick Ford International (24-26 June), and Burgham International (29-31 July).

A horse and rider combination has the opportunity to win a maximum of £22,000 – if they win all the CCI2*-S at all three venues. There is a £3,000 prize for any combination placed in the top three in all three classes, an extra £7,000 for winning two of the three and an extra £12,000 for winning them all.

The prize fund has been put together by event organisers Laura de Wesselow of Belsay, Craig Anderson of Alnwick Ford and Burgham, and Richard Jenkinson of A W Jenkinson Forest Products, with help from creative insurance broker McClarrons Sport Ltd.

“Eventing is an expensive sport and with diesel prices as high as they are currently, we wanted to create something that would really encourage competitors to make the journey north to our fabulous venues in Northumberland,” said Ms de Wesselow.

“We approached A.W. Jenkinson to come in as the sponsor as they are already involved at both Belsay and Burgham, where they generously provide bedding for our residential stabling.”

Mr Anderson added that the team believes the challenge will be a “great spur” for owners, as well as riders.

“It is a great series for professionals, up and coming young horses and more established CCI2* campaigners ridden by amateurs,” he said.

BE chief executive Helen West said the organisation is hugely grateful to A.W Jenkinson for its support of the initiative.

“It is just the sort of collaboration we need to encourage as it benefits so many stakeholders in the sport,” she said.

Entries for Belsay International, which includes the British national pony championships, the junior CCI2*-L, and the new intermediate masters class, open on 26 April. Alnwick Ford entries, including the CCI3*-S alongside national classes, open on 16 May. Burgham hosts a CCI3*-S and CCI4*-S among its classes and entries open on 20 June.

Should more than one combination be placed in the top three in all three classes, they will split the £3,000 between them, and if the same horse and rider wins two and is not on the podium at the third, they will take £7,000.

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A lovely equestrian set-up with a six bedroom house and three cottages located in the heart of Northumberland has come on the market.

Ovington House is situated in the village of Ovington in Prudhoe. Ovington is located only a short distance from the A69 which makes it a handy settlement for commuting east to Newcastle city centre and Newcastle Airport and west towards Hexham and Carlisle.

Equestrian centres nearby include: Blue Sky Riding School (31 miles), which boasts indoor arenas, Todburn EC (33 miles) and Redesdale Equestrian (27 miles). Alnwick Ford Equestrian (37 miles) hosts regular showjumping and dressage competitions throughout the season.

Burgham Horse Trials is a 40 minute drive North (33 miles).

Cross-country facilities are just down the road at Little Whittington XC (8 miles).

Get signed up to BSPS Area 1A if you like to hit the show ring.

Hunting in the area is with either the Morpeth or the North Tyne.

Head out for some glorious off-road hacking at either Hamsterley Forest (29 miles) or Seaton Carew beach (50 miles).

Offered for sale by Youngs RPS, this Northumbrian home is currently on the market with a guide price of £1.75m.

Could you imagine upping sticks and living here?

The lush pasture is ideal for turnout and the grazing extends to five acres. Check out these views over the surrounding countryside.

While the area is ideal for leisurely hacking both on and off road, this 20x40m all-weather arena will ensure your schooling is on point all year round. No excuses.

To the side of the house is access into the indoor stables, which provide spacious loose boxes, ideal for this cold weather.

There is also ample parking space for a lorry or a trailer.

Ovington House is a six bedroom detached family home built in the Georgian period.

The kitchen is fitted with a units and central island and there is also an oil fired AGA. It leads through into a cosy sitting room.

The house has a range of period features throughout, including feature fireplaces. It’s the perfect haven to relax in after a long day at the yard.

The dining room benefits from double doors leading out to the decking area.

Within the grounds of the property are three cottages which provide an opportunity for further income and are currently let on assured shorthold tenancies.

Does this north eastern nest get a thumbs up from you?

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Start dreaming about one of these horsey set-ups in the county

Budget: £

Grangemoor House, Scots Gap, near Morpeth

For you: a country house close to the village of Scots Gap with open views over impressive Northumbrian countryside towards Shaftoe Craggs. Approached through a gated entrance, it has been recently renovated but retains period features including fireplaces and panelled doors. There is a master bedroom, three further bedrooms and a double height reception hall with a grand staircase leading to the first floor galleried landing. The hall could provide an impressive formal dining area if required.

For the horses: an attractive stone archway leads to a courtyard that has four stables, a tack room and tractor store/hay barn. The range of stores could be adapted to additional stables if required, or could be converted to provide a home office or accommodation, subject to the necessary planning consents. There is a 20x40m arena with a sand and rubber base, and the gardens and land extend to 8.66 acres.

USP: it is only 13.7 miles to Newcastle airport.

What’s the damage? £950,000

Agent: Finest Properties

Telephone number: 01434 622234

Visit: www.finestproperties.co.uk

Budget: ££

High Hamsterley Farm, Hamsterley Mill, near Rowlands Gill

For you: a stone-built country house occupying an elevated site, that has been renovated by the current owners. It’s positioned in a rural setting in the Derwent Valley, with its well-known Derwent Walk Country Park. There is easy commuting access into Tyneside and Newcastle, with the A69 linking through Rowlands Gill. Inside are four bedrooms, two sitting rooms, a study, formal dining room, drawing room, garden room and laundry on the ground floor. Significant additional agricultural machinery and internal furnishings are available within the sale, subject to separate negotiation.

For the horses: the land and gardens total about nine acres in all and provide excellent grazing for equestrian use. There are three loose boxes, a large barn, kennels and a garage plus ample parking and a further four-to-five car garage.

USP: outside the current owner has planted an impressive 360 trees in recent years to improve privacy to the existing boundaries.

What’s the damage? £1.295m

Agent: Sanderson Young

Telephone number: 0191 223 3500

Visit: www.sandersonyoung.co.uk

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Budget: £££

Toft Hall Farm, Kirkheaton, near Newcastle

For you: an attractive stone farmhouse built in 2007, with a private tarmac driveway that leads from the stone pillars to the main house beyond. There is a master bedroom with an en-suite bathroom, two further double bedrooms each with en-suite shower rooms, plus a fourth single bedroom. Outside there is a large flagged seating and BBQ area adjacent to the conservatory.

For the horses: most recently the farm has been used for training racehorses and includes a six furlong woodchip gallop as well as a circular two-and-a- half furlong sand gallop. One of the three modern outbuildings currently houses eight Monarch loose boxes together with a two storey tack room and washing area. The Monarch stable partitions and the horse walker are currently excluded from the sale but may be available separately.

USP: the farmland extends to 211.3 acres, so you won’t be short of space.

What’s the damage? excess of £2m

Agent: Savills

Telephone number: 01904 617 831

Visit: www.savills.co.uk

Next week: Equestrian properties for sale in Warwickshire

Ref: Horse & Hound; 11 January 2018

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Police are seeking four youths who were caught on CCTV riding through Newcastle city centre.

Officers are trying to identify the quartet so “suitable words of advice can be given”.

The youngsters were spotted riding from Newcastle Quayside, along Dean Street and on to the busy shopping area of Northumberland Street on 15 October.

City centre neighbourhood Inspector Steve Wykes warned the riders put themselves and members of the public at risk.

“These individuals may be competent riders but the city centre is no place to take a horse, particularly one of the region’s busiest high streets,” he said.

“On Sunday afternoon it was full of shoppers, including families with young children, and someone could easily have been hurt.

“None of those riding the horses were wearing safety equipment and if the horses were to be startled by traffic, a dog or a member of the public then these children could have hurt themselves.”

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He added the force’s police horses often patrol the city centre, but have “extensive training” to police busy areas.

“We are still working to identify these children so we can speak to them about bringing horses into Newcastle and anyone who may know who they are should call us,” added Inspector Wykes.

Councillor Nick Kemp, chairman of community safety partnership Safe Newcastle added it would be very easy for one of these horses to be frightened and put people at risk.

“Northumberland Street is one of the busiest in the city, packed with shoppers, families and young children, it is important that it has a safe and friendly environment,” he said.

“If anyone has any information about this incident we would urge them to contact Northumbria Police.”

Anyone with information is urged to call police on 101, quoting reference 835 131017.

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A fresh call for witnesses has been made by police after the death of a second horse following a “cruel and brutal” attack.

Two horses were stabbed multiple times while grazing in a field in Haltwhistle, Northumberland, last month.

Both were treated by vets, but despite their efforts one died shortly afterwards and the second has now also died.

Inspector Kevin Oates, of Northumbria Police, said he has “never experienced anything similar” in 24 years of policing and is renewing his call for information.

“We are continuing to investigate this crime, this cowardly and awful attack on two horses,” he said.

“We have had a good response from the community and have followed up several lines of enquiry from calls received from the public but so far this has not led us to find those responsible.

“We know this senseless crime continues to cause distress to the family and concerns in the Haltwhistle community that someone could carry out an attack of this nature.”

The attack took place between 7pm on 8 July and 10am on 9 July.

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“We believe the people responsible will have had large amounts of blood on their clothing and we’re asking people to think back to that weekend and to recall if someone they know came home with bloodstained clothes.

“It may be that at the time they gave an innocent sounding explanation, but if you have any doubts please give us a call.

“It may be that those responsible have also been bragging about what they have done. If you have heard anyone who claims to have been involved, or seen anything on social media again, get in touch.”

Call police on 101, quoting reference 481 09/07/16, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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A horse has died and another was seriously injured in a “cruel and brutal” stabbing.

The pair were “viciously attacked” while grazing in a field in Haltwhistle, Northumberland, between 7pm on 8 July and 10am on 9 July.

Northumbria Police has launched an investigation and is appealing for witnesses.

“This was a cruel and brutal attack on two defenceless animals and we are determined to catch those responsible,” said neighbourhood inspector Kevin Oates.

“Both animals were stabbed a number of times and required two vets to work together on stitching together the wounds. They were surprised the horses were still alive.

“We suspect that whoever could be responsible for such an offence would have been in a group and would have been covered in blood following the incident.”

Despite the vets’ efforts, one of the horses died from the injuries he sustained in the upsetting attack. The other continues to be monitored by vets.

Police are carrying out enquiries to try and find those responsible.

“Anyone who saw the attack, knows those responsible or has any information that could help police should contact us,” added inspector Oates.

Call police on 101, quoting reference 481 09/07/16, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police appeal

In a separate incident, police are investigating after an ex-racehorse was shot at a yard in south east London on 8 July.

Woolfall Treasure, an 11-year-old grey gelding, was found dead by staff at Kemnal Manor Stables near Chislehurst.

A memorial service for the horse is set to take place today (Saturday, 17 July).

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police told H&H earlier this week that officers attended and detectives from Bromley CID are investigating.

Call 101 with information.

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Northumberland College is renewing its sponsorship of the Northumberland County Show (26 May) for the second successive year.

While organisers would not reveal the exact sum of money involved, it is said to “run into thousands of pounds” annually as the show’s main sponsorship. Around 40 other companies will also sponsor the show.

The benefits are mutual, with the college having much to gain from its input to the show, including £1,000 bursaries for 5 potential students.

“The college has a superb platform to showcase its land-based courses to a very targeted audience,” said show secretary Gaynor Scandle. “They receive lots of free tickets for students and the show offers a bursary scheme for five Northumbrian young people to study agriculture, animal care of other land-based education. Kirkley Hall [the college’s specialist land-based education campus] is often the first choice for students.”

This year, further strengthening the relationship, the college’s vice principal of enterprise and innovation, Marcus Clinton, will judge the light horse championship.

Mandy Charlton, equine section secretary, said his credentials were “impeccable”.

“Marcus has vast expertise and knowledge in the equestrian industry as a British Showjumping judge and previous chairman of the British Horse Society in Staffordshire,” she said. “He has managed his own equestrian businesses and is the author of Horse Business Management.”

Marcus has overseen the development of the equestrian centre at Kirkley Hall campus, increased competitions and initiated a British Eventing fixture at the site.

“I’m very honoured to be asked to judge this year’s light horse championship,” he said. “The county show attracts large numbers of competitors and standards are always extremely high.”

A rights of way specialist has won a two and a half year fight over a cattle grid that obstructs a bridleway at Capheaton, Northumberland.

Alan Kind, of Gosforth, Newcastle, alerted Northumberland County Council to the grid that extended across the entire width of the path in October 2009.

Although the farmer had created an unofficial gate to the side of the gate Mr Kind argued the public had no legally enforceable rights over the land that it encouraged them to use.

But the council failed to act.

Now, after two unsuccessful appeals to magistrates and crown court, two judges in London’s High Court ruled on 14 March that the bridleway must be widened.

And Northumberland County Council is now in talks with the landowner.

The decision has been welcomed by the British Horse Society (BHS), who supported Mr Kind in his fight.

Mark Weston, BHS director of access, said: “The society was glad to support Mr Kind with this test case which goes a long way towards establishing firm and clear guidance on obstructions to rights of way and the duty on highway authorities to take simple, firm and prompt action to put things right.”

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A horse and rider were saved from drowning in the River Wansbeck in Northumberland was saved by firefighters.

A teenage rider and her horse had plummeted into the fast flowing river on Thursday July 24 when the horse lost its footing.

The rider was cradling the horse’s head out of the water to keep it from drowning, when firefighters from Cramlington and Morpeth fire stations arrived on the scene.

Cramlington station officer Bruce Black said: “The rider, who’d been injured by the fall when the horse fell on her, was holding the horse’s head to keep it above the water.

“The horse was stressed and cold. We called a vet who entered the water to administer painkillers. We had to attach a winch to the overhanging trees to lift the horse clear of the mud but it kept collapsing back in.

“It took over two hours to get it out. Firefighters were in the water the whole time.”

Firefighters and paramedics treated the girl at the scene. Both rider and horse are well.

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