Team Chasing - Cotswold 2009

Enjoy one of the last long days of autumn at the annual Cotswold Team Chase in the heart of the Gloucestershire countryside. Pack up the family and the dog and head out to the beautiful grounds of Foxcote Manor, the home of the Hon Mark and Mrs Rosie Vestey, on Sunday 25th October, where you will be able to watch brave horses and daring riders competing head to head for the coveted first prize.

Team Chasing, enjoyed by hundreds of competitors nationwide, is a unique equestrian sport where teams of four riders race against the clock over challenging natural obstacles. The fastest team across country on the day wins.

The Cotswold event is one of the premier qualifiers for the National Championships in April 2010 and will attract teams of competitors from all over England. The feature event of the day, the Open Qualifier, is sponsored by Chesterton Humberts a leading firm of national and international chartered surveyors and estate agents offering professional advice over the full range of residential, rural and commercial property services.

Robert Bartlett, Chief Executive commented, “Chesterton Humberts is delighted to be involved with the sport of Team Chasing. This sponsorship reflects our continuing commitment to country pursuits and rural life. Team Chasing is an exhilarating national sport enjoyed by a broad base of competitors and spectators throughout the countryside and we are looking forward to a thrilling contest at the Cotswold event”.

This year The British Forces Foundation (BFF), dedicated to boosting the morale of our Armed Forces, will be the official charity. 2009 marks The BFF’s 10th anniversary year and as part of the celebrations some of the finest military equestrian teams have been invited to take part at Foxcote to try to win the magnificent Loriners Cup, awarded to the fastest of the teams representing the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force. Mark Cann, BFF Director, commented: “The British Forces Foundation is very grateful to The Cotswold Team Chase and the Wheatsheaf Inn, located in the nearby market town of Northleach, for the wonderful day out and complimentary hospitality that they have offered our troops. Spending the day in the countryside and having the chance to compete on horseback will offer a wonderful boost to the morale of all those taking part.” To find out more about the BFF’s work, spectators at the event will be able to visit their stand in the tented village or you can visit www.bff.org.uk and click on the show-reel to see the Charity in action.

Preparations at Foxcote Manor for this year’s event include the addition of some new fences and increased prize money on offer for the successful teams. The event starts at 9.00am with the Farmington Stone Quarries Intermediate class followed by the Chesterton Humberts Open Qualifier at noon, where the premier horses and riders compete for a place in the Championships. The Ruffers LLP Novice and the Military classes will round out the day.

Everybody is welcome to come along to the Public Hospitality Marquee, in the tented village, and join the competitors to watch live CCTV coverage of the event, enjoy a breakfast bacon bap, a drink at the bar or an all day Hog Roast and wander round the assorted trade stands. Admission is £10 per car, including all occupants and a programme and there will be a parade of the Cotswold Hounds at 1.30pm. For more information please call Janet Trotter on 01285 831577. The Cotswold Team Chase can be found at Foxcote Manor, Andoversford, Cheltenham, Glos GL54 4LP.