THE National Friendly British Masters Show Jumping event saw nearly 13,000 people head to the Roodee at the weekend to enjoy three days of show jumping, dog display teams, inter hunt relay, children’s entertainment and trade stands.
Richard Thomas, chief executive of Chester Race Company said: “We are delighted to have seen so many people here. People travelled from all over the country and we had a lot of local support too.
“It takes a lot of effort to put on an event of this size in between racing and seeing the crowds enjoying themselves makes it all worthwhile.”
Robert Smith from Warwickshire took first in the main event, the National Friendly British Masters Final, on Sunday. He rode Vangelis to victory to pick up the £10,000 prize.
The show provided additional entertainment for show jumping fans with the West Lancashire Dog Display braving the weather to put on an flawless performance just as the skies opened.
At the end of the main event, spectators were treated to an inter-hunt relay.
There were thrills and spills as representatives from local hunts showed their wild side by flying over – and on many occasions into – a series of obstacles on the tightly laid-out course.
The winners were the Flint and Denbigh Hunt, who were awarded £250, with the Cheshire Hunt in second.
