The Open class attracted an entry of eight teams, the pathfinders being the Wacky Racers team, running with only three riders, Vicky Slade, Darren Watts an Mark Smith. Unfortunately they lost Darren at one of the hedges at the top of the course and had to retire.

Fight the Ban. Com were next to come under starters orders, Ben Pauling led them off a breakneck speed on Pappillion, perhaps he should have held some in reserve as the going was a bit sticky over the undulating course, Charlotte Alexander and Earthmover fell at the fence after the pen, the Mason boys Peter and Richard were well up with Ben but when Papillion slipped over on the turn three fences from home they were also forced to retire.

The R & R Wasps had travelled down from the north. Sue Chadwick led them away at a much steadier pace, but was making up time with some nifty tight turns, Joanne Kay slipped up on the turn into the stream at the fence before the pen, and a mistake in the pen, when the other two Mark Andrews and Tom Kaye were not close enough to get twelve feet in together cost them a 20 second penalty, however, the team did get a finishing time and fourth place gave them a qualification for the championships.

The Joules Knightly Hatters, fresh from their win at the Athersone, were so exuberant at the start that a false start was declared and they were brought back under starters orders for a second attempt. Ian Shipley on his super horse Pepper led them at some unbelievable angles, closely followed by Stuart Morris on Sparky, Yvonne Goss on the ever youthful Perry and Heather Moodie back in the saddle on Kowai after fracturing a small bone in arm out blood hounding two weeks ago, their usual immaculate team work and corner cutting through some of the tight hedge turns earned them a huge cheer from the crowd and a time of 4m36.54s.

Sarah Myhill led off the Teme Valley Tigers in a valiant attempt to beat the Hatters, but after a most uncharacteristic fall from the usually sure footed Maggie whilst angling one of the lovely Meynell hedges and then losing another rider when Julie Wheeler (deputising for Angie Murphy) Paul Browse and Brian Allen were the only two left mounted.

So all eyes were on the Hair Raisers, Aly Brown leading the way with her wonder-horse, the lovely grey, Dragon, Paul Thomason on Tiny, Penny Still on Erin and Jo Jewel on Fuzy Logic (in only his third team chase ever). The crowd were not disappointed and were treated to a fine display of team riding, as the team did manage to keep up with Dragon, who is often twenty lengths in front, they got through the pen without a moments hesitation and after once again angling all the corners took the lead with a great time of 4m28.98s knocking 8 seconds off the Joules Knightly Hatters time. Jo Jewell was very lucky her horse Fuzy Logic managed to arrive at the course in time, the horse box had broken down in Newhaven, Sussex and a frantic car drive across the county to borrow Richard Gorings box then back to pick up the horse, by his part owner, the most enthusiastic, Catherine Jiggins got him to the course in the nick of time. This win gave the Hair Raisers qualification for the championships.

The Boring Gorings had Fred French back on Question Mark, Linda Adams, Denzil, Mark Smith on his second ride of the day and Nick Fuller on Coco, Mark Smith led them away on the grey Harvey but after a run out, Linda Adams found she was once again out in front, Denzil loves to take over half way round the course and Linda brought them home in a time of 4m39.12s just 3 seconds off the Knightly Hatters, giving them the well deserved third place spot.

Last to go were the Wannabees, making the transition from Intermediate to Open, were bowling along behind the experienced Sue Tideswell, they unfortunately lost Sue Rodman when she parted company with her horse Jake at the water, however, Jake, decided he did not want to miss out on the fun and managed to cause all sorts of chaos cutting up the rest of the team at several fences, Steph Hall managed to keep out of his way but he finally brought down Keith Tideswell's horse just two fences from home, which was a great pity.

The Intermediate was a super class to watch, like the week before at the Atherstone, the standard of riding in this class has improved immensely and with some of the bigger hedges from the open class included, there was nothing but praise from the riders for the course. The Teme Valley Tiggers kept up their winning streak being the only team to break the four-minute barrier, in a time of 3m51s. The team consisted of Sarah Myhill - Con, Andrew Bronwin - Oliver, Brian Allen and Christine Furness - Ginger.

In second place, another very consistent team this autumn were the Marston Misfits, Jo Manicom took over the lead this week on her horse Pedro who has now recovered from injury, Sally Main had no problems with Hobnob this week, and even though they lost Lyn Deakin when she parted company from Kin three fences from home. Alan George on his new five year old was close enough, to give them a time just over the 4 minute mark.

Third place went to the Foxberry Chasers and fourth to Alpha 1st.

Netty Nevill.