More than 500 competitors competed in Chilham Park’s British Eventing Horse Trials last weekend, the first eventing competition since Team GB won silver for eventing at the Olympics.

Competitors came from as far afield as Wales and Norfolk and took part in skilful show jumping, elegant dressage and thrilling cross-country in front of 2,000 spectators.

The cross-country course was designed under the guidance of Scott Brickell, one of the designers for the 2012 Olympic course in Greenwich.

On the Saturday, Chilham held a BE80 training class aimed at competitors new to affiliated eventing as well the BE90 class. On Sunday, they hosted the very competitive BE100 and Novice classes.

There was a local victory, too, as Challock’s Bridget Seager, pictured, triumphed in Equestrian Clearance BE80 (T) Section F.

She said: "The Team GB equestrian team has raised interest and support for these sorts of events. The spectators were amazing and cheering me on as if I was going for gold, too."

Competitor Francis Whittington, reserve for Team GB and chairman for the UK and International Event Riders’ Association said: "This was my first time at Chilham. I had heard lots of good things about it from other eventers and I wasn’t disappointed.

"Chilham is a important event and is becoming one of the key dates in our eventing calendar and certainly one to look out for in future."

Picture: www.spidge.co.uk