The Masters' Challenge sponsored by Ayr Equestrian

New to the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials in 2013 was a special gate jumping competition kindly sponsored by our new supporters, Ayr Equestrian. We will again invite masters of foxhounds and field masters from around the country to come and prove to the expectant Saturday crowds that they're the ones to follow this season if you want an exciting ride...!

We are thrilled to annually attract some of the very best. Among those vying for the £250 prize in 2014 were Heythrop field masters Nick Seal and Mike Jackson, Warwickshire hunt chairman and field master Sam Butler, Berkeley joint-master Helen Hillard - one of the best ladies across country in Britain - and Joss Hanbury, legendary senior master of the Quorn, voted Horse & Hound's "ultimate thruster". There was even a side saddle entrant - the impossibly elegant and extremely brave Lucy Holland from the Bicester with Whaddon Chase.

They might not have the finesse of the eventers in Saturday's Eventers High Jump competition, but they are sure to be even more gung-ho. What's an upright gate compared to a socking great hedge with ditch in front, anyway?