FENCE had a suitably ghoulish appearance at Thornton Lodge on Sunday as the 2011 competition season came to a close with the strongly-contested Halloween Hunter Trial.

This event, which always proves popular, surpassed all expectations as it attracted a record number of entries and saw 200 cross country rounds performed.

Riders were greeted by skeletons, witches’ hats, black cats and tombstones which had been liberally scattered around the course, adding to the scary theme.

Prizes were awarded to the best Halloween costume in each class, so it was up to the individual rider to choose between fancy dress and more conventional cross-country attire.

The day got under way with the newly-introduced nanny and novice class, a non-competitive event, based around the minimus course, which provided a great way to introduce novice riders or inexperienced horses to a hunter trial.

More than 40 riders took to the course for the minimus, with the top-placed riders all performing clear rounds. The final result was based on an optimum time which saw Georgia Reveley head the leaderboard riding Frilly.

A powerful performance by Eve Bower and her mount, Toffee, took the honours in the junior novice but it was the senior section which attracted the biggest field of the day, with almost 50 riders setting out on course.

The eventual winner was Jennie Robson, riding Penny.

The pairs class was run over the novice course and saw Carlie Firth-Williams and Tamala Service team up to show other competitors a clean pair of heels as they galloped into a strong lead.

The open course asked a few technical questions of riders as fences reached 3ft 3in in height and included skinnies and combinations.

A bold run, nearest the optimum time, secured the top honours for Alex Smith and Luna.

Results:

Minimus: 1 Georgia Reveley & Frilly, 2 Megan Spavin & Kelimazing Mayfly, 3 Zoe Thompson & Athlone Paddy, 4 Nicola Shepherdson & Rory, 5 Sophie Pretorius & Pippa, 6 Sheila Slone & Colour Me In

Best Fancy Dress: Amelia Vacarro

Junior Novice: 1 Eve Bower & Toffee, 2 = Kirsten Baul & Fudge, 2 = Helen Bailey & Valentine, 3 Callum Small & Java, 4 Mattie Burridge & Silver Sox, 5 Charlie Wilson & Sir Freddie, 6 Sophie Webber & Lucky

Best Fancy Dress: Mollie Dodd

Senior Novice: 1 Jennie Robson & Penny, 2 Sarah Monkman & Mountain Miracle, 3 Jane Stevens & Charlie, 4 Carly Dixon & Sybelius, 5 = Stephen Blayney & Bennie, 5 = Adele Baul & Storm, 6 Helen Bellerby & Ivor

Best Fancy Dress: Lisa Walton

Pairs: 1 Carlie Firth-Williams & Harry / Tamala Service & Starhid Potter, 2 Sophie Webber & Lucky / Hugo Webber & Smurf, 3 Anabelle Delap & A Mini Classic / Gemma Lund & Betty Boo, 4 Zoe Davis & Lottie / Kate Davis- Savage & Kevami Gun, 5 Nicky Dane & Tom / Christine Rogers & Storm

Best Fancy Dress: Millie Shaw & Juliet Fenlon

Open: 1 Alex Smith & Luna, 2 Claire Williams & Eddie, 3 Fiona Tweedie & Isla, 4 Dean Woodcock & Ben, 5 Katherine Starky & Monty Mouse, 6 Lisa Bainbridge & Sky