Andrews the master tactician as jockeys' team takes revenge

Following defeat at the hands of a team of eventers 12 months ago, the jump jockeys gained their revenge in the JCB-sponsored Champions Challenge at the St James’s Place Barbury International Horse Trials on Saturday.

The challenge, in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund, featured the jockeys' team of Wayne Hutchinson, Harry Skelton, Nico de Boinville and captain Bridget Andrews, who locked horns with the equestrian eventing team headed by Zara Tindall, with Jonty Evans, Dan Jocelyn and Holly Woodhead in support.

Before the contest got under way leading lady conditional rider Andrews, who had ridden in a similar event at the Olympia Horse Show, made no secret of the fact the jockeys meant business and they showed plenty of grit by leading from start to finish after an astute tactical briefing by their captain.

Zara Tindall makes a splash for the eventers' team

Andrews explained afterwards: “We were keen to get the changeovers right, as that's the key, and you also need to choose your horse carefully.

"We spent all Saturday morning taking note of the inter hunt relay competition and carefully earmarked the horses we needed to choose – namely the ones who are quick but very careful."

Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning jockey Nico de Boinville, who triumphed in the festival showpiece on Coneygree in 2015, added: "It was a lot of fun and all in a great cause. My horse, Coppice, was A-one – he looked after me beautifully and, thanks to Bridget, we had a good strategy that paid off."