Jump jockeys' team vow to return after losing title at Barbury Horse Trials

The jump jockeys' team comprising Richard Johnson, Sam Twiston-Davies, Tom Scudamore and Wayne Hutchinson has vowed to return to the Barbury Horse Trials in 2019 in a bid to regain the JCB Champions' Challenge crown lost on Saturday.

The jockeys took on some of the best event riders in the world in a relay race over fences in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund and came up short this time having been victorious in 2016 and 2017.

The hat-trick bid was foiled and there may have been an element of over-confidence involved.

For while the eventers, captained by 2018 Badminton Horse Trials winner and New Zealand Olympian Jonelle Price, carefully selected their mounts from the horses contesting the final of the inter-hunt relay and planned their tactics, the jockeys were spotted enjoying a pint at the bar.

Action at the Barbury Horse Trials on SaturdayCredit: William Carey Photography

Hutchinson perhaps had a more valid excuse, pointing out that his stirrup iron broke.

Twiston-Davies said: "We need to get here earlier next year – the eventers stole a march on us and nicked most of the best horses!”

He added: "We've had a fantastic time. The Injured Jockeys Fund is the best possible cause and it's fun to do something completely different to what we do every day.

"We're all off to Nico de Boinville's wedding now so riding at Market Rasen tomorrow could be a bit of a struggle!”

Johnson, the captain, said: "Thank-you so much to all the hunt relay members who lent us their horses. It's in aid of a great cause, and we'll be back next year to regain our title."

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