Date set for 2016 CharityRetriever Test at Armoy

There are three classes: prelim, novice and open, with great prizes to be won. The top prize in the open class is a free ferry crossing for a car and two passengers to Scotland for five days, sponsored by P&O Ferries.

Entries on the day – open to all. For information contact Derek Anderson on 07739 539 441.

Cheltenham Countryside Race Day

The Cheltenham Countryside Race Day, was a fantastic success, raising £59,000 for Equestrian Team GBR and another £113,179 for The Countryside Alliance Foundation.

The funds raised for the British Equestrian Federation will support equestrian athletes, across dressage, show jumping, eventing and para-dressage, as they prepare for this year’s Olympic Games and Paralympics.

Equestrian performance director Dan Hughes commented: “We are hugely indebted to the generosity of the British racing public in helping to support our Olympic and Paralympic equestrian teams this year. The monies raised at Cheltenham for The Countryside Alliance Foundation and the British equestrian teams is truly astonishing and I would like to thank everyone for their support, not only on the day itself, but throughout the year.”

Countryside Alliance chief executive Tim Bonner, added: “The Cheltenham Countryside Race Day is always a great day out but was all the more special this year because of the attendance of our prospective Olympic and Paralympic riders. We wish them the very best of luck for success at Rio.”

On the day, race-goers were treated to a unique demonstration as racing met dressage, when AP McCoy took the reins of the Grand Prix dressage horse Barolo, under the careful tutelage of Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin.

Further fundraising activities on the day saw eventing athletes Tina Cook, Izzy Taylor and Kitty King ride out onto the course as part of the Hound Parade, with a number of auctions and fundraising activity organised by the Countryside Alliance taking place throughout the day.