The Four Burrow Hunt team of Katie Hancock, Andrew Williams, Sammie Jo Coffin and Stephen Jinks reigned supreme in the Silver Fox Challenge at Hambledon, Henley-on-Thames, where they held off a strong challenge from 32 teams to secure the £3,000 winner's purse.

This fiercely-fought five-round competition featured teams from across Britain, and for the third time in its history, the Four Burrow team came out on top. Seasoned campaigners Katie (Parsnip) and Stephen (Dalcotes Yeoman), both members of previous winning teams, joined forces with Andrew (Nice n Spicy) and Sammie Jo (Varlet) to snatch victory from last year's winners, the VWH (Vale of the White Horse).

"Our team put in a brilliant performance," said Marilyn Stead of the Four Burrow Hunt Supporters Club. "We won by a six-second margin and Sammie Jo also won a prize for clocking up one of the individual fastest rounds."

The competition also brought a fitting climax to Katie's partnership with Sue and Tony Blumenau's chestnut gelding Parsnips, who has been a superb servant to the Four Burrow Hunt.

"Parsnip's gone on to pastures new with the field master of the Beaufort," explained Tony who is joint master of the Four Burrow. Marilyn also played a key role in keeping the show on the road.

"On arriving at the showground, we realised Andrew had left Spice's bridle behind," she said. "He was still recovering from a good night out at the Rider's Ball and it had obviously affected his memory! Eventually I found a trade stand with a limited supply, and fortunately I chose a lucky one!"