HEAVY snowfalls brought a halt to many equestrian competitions and race meetings up and down the country last weekend, but the team at Friars Hill Stables defied all the elements to host an unaffiliated showjumping contest on Sunday.

Fiona Hardman, from Aislaby, got proceedings off to a great start when clinching victory in the opening class riding the nimble veteran chestnut gelding, Buster. The combination looked set to make it a double, but had to settle for second place in the 55cm as victory went the way of Easingwold-based, Jody Salton, riding the eye-catching coloured, Lilly.

The 65cm height class concluded the day and went the way of Anna Nightingale and her mount, Renaissance.

If you fancy trying your hand at something different, how about experiencing the thrill of polocrosse?

Polocrosse is a cross between polo and lacrosse on horseback and combines racquet and ball skills with horsemanship. It provides a great way to build up the bond between horse and rider as well as fostering team spirit between the players.

“We are hosting the polocrosse training session to get people started.

Providing they can ride, we will take care of everything else,” said Alison Brown, of Friars Hill Stables.

“The afternoon session will consist of stick and ball control on foot and horseback, basic rules and aims of the game. Hopefully, depending on ability, we would like to conclude the day with a match at the end of the afternoon.”

The polocrosse training will take place on Sunday, February 10. For more information, phone Friars Hill Stables 01751 432758 or go to www.friarshillstables.co.uk

The results were as follows

45cms: 1 Fiona Hardman & Buster, 2 Lucinda Sanderson & Daisy, 3 Jake Gibson & Pickles, 4 Anna Skaife & Jack

55cms: 1 Jody Salton & Lilly, 2 Fiona Hardman & Buster, 3 Rebecca Champion & Crumble, 4 Anya Marley & Freya

65cms: 1 Anna Nightingale & Renaissance, 2 Claudia Yorke & Sunny, 3 Rebecca Champion & Crumble, 4 Frankie Lloyd- Brown & Grey