Sara Metcalfe on her 16 year old Vader – Sara started the team in 2003 with Vader. Part of the qualifying team and lead the team to glory here last year around the Intermediate. She will be very nervous but has promised to kick on and give it her best shot. Green but keen with the smallest horse in the pack but he thinks he is a racehorse so we haven’t told him otherwise. Sara runs the UK Chasers course near Richmond and if more hedges were there would run a team chase up North!! Vader has represented Darlington Riding Club at the Open SJ and Hunter Trials coming 4th in SJ and team 1st, individual 2nd in Hunter trial. He has let Sara look after him for the last 11 years and hopefully he will look after her again today.

Sara’s husband Phil is Team Manager – owning up to that on a good day but not if it goes pear-shaped. His usual advice is go faster at the start.

Chris Gibbon MFH (Zetland) on Leroy – also part of the winning Inter team 2008 which was his 1st team chase. Chris has pointed previously and field mastered the Zetland over their biggest country for the last 3 seasons. Chris is a pig farmer like his brother Stuart and is famous for his television appearance on “Queer Eye for a Straight Guy”. He was also instrumental in organising Ladettes to Ladies TV coverage of a days hunting and social evening in the Oz version which apparently is hilarious!! Leroy was home bred by Chris’ father and grew up hunting although he is still young at 6 years old. Chris recently got engaged to Fiona who will be here shouting as loudly as anyone for us to stay on!

Stuart Gibbon on Isaac – brother to Chris and pig farmer!! His wife Emma actually rode Isaac to qualify at the Bicester but as she is expecting their second bundle of joy in a few weeks time she decided to hand over the reins this week. Isaac is therefore possibly still carrying slightly more weight than he is used to so will have had extra oats! Stuart has pointed and field mastered so comes with plenty of experience. He is hoping to stay on in the warm up and get thro the start as Isaac is re-knowned for dropping his rider in all the excitement. Stuart and Isaac have been part of the team previously winning the Inter at the Badsworth and Bramham but it is their 1st time at the Fernie so we convinced him that there is not much difference between the Inter and the Open here – hopefully he will remain convinced after walking the course!

Darren Watts on Sir Jack – Darren started teamchasing 12 years ago with David Davis Team Chase team competing in opens, then with the Tango's. Then went on to ride with the Bentley Barmaids in Intermediates and Opens. For the last five years I was Team Captain of the Wacky Racers competing in Intermediates, with countless wins. We were winners of the Inter-hunt at the Championship with the Cramwell Raiders.

Sir Jack is an 8 year old TB x WB. Last year competed with the Wacky Racers at Intermediates and had several wins and places. This is the first season of opens. Darren is very kindly joining us for the Championships as we need a good combination in 3rd to shout at us all the way round!