Cambridgeshire showjumper will race at Newmarket

Showjumper Samantha Burbidge is among supporters of The Countryside Alliance Foundation (TCAF) from across the East of England, Gloucestershire and the Thames Valley who will race on Newmarket's famous July Course at the Countryside Race Day on Thursday 23 June.

The charity race is being run in aid of TCAF's charities Fishing 4 Schools, Falconry for Schools and Casting for Recovery and will be contested over eight furlongs, on mostly borrowed horses.

Samantha of Horseheath, Cambridgeshire runs the Forest Edge Arena in Swaffham, Norfolk and as a successful showjumper she wants to be in the ribbons at Newmarket. She will represent the Essex hunt in the race and hopes to ride her and partner Adrian Bayford's racehorse Semille Obon. Sponsor Samantha here.

Samantha said: "I want to raise awareness and understanding of country sports and as much money for the TCAF charities as I can. This is my first race, but if I don't finish up in the top three I will be miffed – I'd love to win but there will be some real competition."

Newmarket celebrates its 350^th anniversary this year and there will be a full day's racing following the charity race at 1pm.