Despite heavy rain and a terrible forecast 74 horseriders turned up to support the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance and the New Forest Hounds in a sponsored 10-mile ride at Manor Farm, East Tytherley on Sunday.

Luckily the weather improved as the day wore on, and all the riders made it safely home to receive their rosettes.

Some even decided to stay on for picnics in a spot of afternoon sunshine.

Charlotte Fricker, aged 14 from West Tytherley and riding her horse Lord Hugo, was the day’s highest fundraiser, managing to reach £205. For her efforts she received a £20 gift voucher donated by Norris & Sons of Beaulieu, and the hunt chairman, Mike Squibb, presented her with the rider trophy.

The organisers estimate that the event raised around £2,000 - two thirds of which go to the hunt and a third to the air ambulance.