Seven riders are due to go under starter's orders at Aintree on 28th October to raise funds for The

The charity race – where riders compete on borrowed horses – is part of the fourth annual Aintree Countryside Day, which is a great day out for all the family. It is also the course's Old Roan Chase Meeting so there will be a full card of races after the charity event, which will be the first race at 11.30am.

There are seven jockeys in this year's Charity Race, which is a Flat race run under Rules over 1m 5f on the Mildmay Course. The riders will be collecting sponsorship money in aid of The Countryside Alliance Foundation (TCAF) charities – Casting for Recovery, Fishing for Schools and Falconry for Schools.

The jockeys have already undergone an assessment day which included a stringent fitness test and riding out on the gallops under the watchful eyes of a professional jockey coach.

This year's riders are:

Andrew German

It's all systems go at this time of the season for the Cheshire Forest huntsman who is busy hunting hounds in the lead up to the opening meet. Andrew's career in hunt service started in the stables at the former Garth & South Berks kennels "many years ago" and he has been in his current position for 12 seasons.

Andrew admits that he only really "rides to hunt" although he came third in the Members' race at their point-to-point and has ridden in two charity races previously at Uttoxeter and at Aintree so does have some experience on a racecourse which will no doubt stand him in good stead.

Mick Mullineaux is providing Andrew with a suitable mount although the huntsman admits that he keeps being bucked off due to his lack of riding ability!

Sam Butler

Sam, who led the CA's Campaign for Hunting for many years, has ridden and hunted since the age of three-years-old and was part of the Warwickshire mastership for 22 seasons. He continues to hunt regularly and in his capacity as field master he is a formidable man to follow across country.

Sam is currently Chairman of The Warwickshire Hunt and hunts regularly with his wife Ali, an equine vet, and their nine-year-old son Arthur. Together the family jump anything they come across.

Sam is a founding partner of Butler Sherborn, The Cotswold Property Specialists. Butler Sherborn is the exclusive sponsor of Ben Pauling Racing, and Sam has been riding out with the Ben Pauling string twice a week in preparation for the Aintree Charity Race.

He has ridden any number of Ben's horses, including Jaleo, who has gone to run in the American Grand National, and the very attractive Whin Park, owned by Mrs S Davies. To date Sam is kept guessing as to the identity of his race ride!

Sam is passionate about country sports in general and wants to ensure there is a long-term future ahead for them which is why the CA, and the allied charities, are causes very close to him.

Sponsor Sam here

Helen Westmoreland-Nicholson

Farmer and personal trainer Helen, widely known as "Foxy", is also the wife of the Coniston's master and huntsman Michael Nicholson, and mother of Hector (12) and Millie Mouse (11).

Fitness for the race shouldn't be a concern for Helen whose lifestyle is incredibly hectic. Helen says: "My work isn't just gym bound; it involves being out on the Fells, taking people walking, running, hiking, preparing them for trail-running, marathons, triathlons, and ultra-marathons which is pretty great, especially if the hounds are out and about!"

Helen is most happy on the farm while being surrounded by her family, the Norfolk terriers and her horses while helping her father rear the hunt hound puppies amongst other duties.

Somehow Helen manages to find time to compete her horses, taking part in both local and national competitions, and recently travelled to France to compete for GB as part of a successful British Riding Club team. Skiing, taking holidays in Pollenca, partying and drinking her favourite tipple at her local pub The Queen's Head also feature in Helen's busy lifestyle, none of which would be possible without the support of her incredible parents who are "always on hand to help Michael and me."

Helen has enjoyed riding out at Martin Todhunter's yard in wind, torrential rain or glorious sunshine and is grateful to the team who have taught her. Her preparation for the race however has been hampered by a few broken bones in Helen's foot and ligament damage to the other after a fall, on top of a bout of flu!

Helen is supporting the work of the CA and raising money for TCAF because she believes: "The Countryside Alliance are an integral part in helping to sustain our way of life and for our way of life to continue as it is we need help in educating people the right way. If the CA can educate people and the younger generations then we may have a chance of sustaining the ways we all love."

Sponsor Helen here

Becky Lloyd

University student Becky started hunting with the Holcombe Harriers when she was 10-years-old on a pony called Rascal who lived up to his name. "I told my Mum that he was the worst Christmas present that I have ever had, but Rascal knew he was much better than I was and this was the start of a fantastic partnership," revealed Becky. "The love and passion for this pony was surreal; I used to hang on for dear life, smile and remember to breathe as he followed anyone and cleared any obstacles in his path."

Currently reading sport and exercise science BSc (Hons) at Leeds Beckett University, Becky is now in her second year. Becky plays netball and trains four times a week to help with her overall fitness in preparation for the race at Aintree, although she had never ridden a racehorse until recently.

"I spent a lot of time over the summer riding out at Greystoke, near Penrith, and have been put through my paces under the watchful eye of former jump jockey Brian Harding," explained Becky. " I am incredible grateful to all the team at Greystoke as well as the masters of the Holcombe for giving me this opportunity."

Nicky Richards has promised to provide Becky with a suitable mount for the day, although rumour has it she may also have her eye on two of the yard favourites!

Becky is keen to support the Countryside Alliance because she feels that "the valuable work that they do within the rural communities has a huge benefit for everybody involved in the natural environment".

Sponsor Becky here

Jane Bowen

Jane is in her third season as a joint-master of the Grove & Rufford and consequently her life revolves around hunting and hounds, while her spare time is spent working to enable her to enjoy this passion.

Jane says: "If money and time were no issue, I would buy a motor home and travel around our beautiful country and follow the F1 motor racing circus. I would also love to ride to hounds in as many countries as I could!"

Jane keeps "reasonably fit" to support her back issues, acknowledging that core strength is vital to maintain the stability of her spine with the weakness in her discs. Since being invited to take part in this race, Jane has "upped my game by cycling, power walking and using the wonderful fitness apparatus on our village playing field. Running does not suit me so I do a lot of cardiac work on my cross trainer at home and continue with my list of exercises – just more of them."

Jane's hunting commitments mean she hasn't been able to ride out for any yards this season however she has ridden in point-to-points and a few Hunter Chases in the past, having also been assistant trainer to Pam Sly.

Jane started hunting at the age of seven-years-old in Cheshire and while riding loan ponies she hunted regularly and was "very lucky my form master understood!" She also qualified pointers with a number of packs.

Sponsor Jane here

Pippa Taylor

Pippa runs a livery yard just outside of Banbury which has a mixture of horses from happy hackers to competition horses. Pippa loves eventing during the summer and has so far evented up to 2**/intermediate level.

Throughout the winter she is a keen follower of hounds and enjoys nothing more than whipping-in as an amateur to her partner Mick Wills, huntsman of the Grafton. Pippa will be riding a little mare called Bishopstone Girl, who is also known as Twiggy.

Twiggy was spending the summer with Pippa to learn a bit of dressage before going to Tom and Gina Ellis for a winter of point-to-pointing however when this opportunity came up Pippa couldn't resist hanging onto her for a bit longer.

Pippa and Twiggy have been preparing with a mixture of hunting and going to the gallops and reportedly now "cannot wait until the race."

Sponsor Pippa here

Lucy Felton

Lucy is in her first season as a joint-master of the Blackmore & Sparkford Vale, joining her husband Mike who has been in the role since 1992. Mike is no stranger to the world of racing having been champion point-to-point jockey on three occasions and riding over 200 winners – he will no doubt be giving Lucy plenty of tips in the lead-up to the race.

Lucy has made an outstanding contribution to amateur racing in Britain; responsible for the day-to-day running of point-to-pointing nationally for 17 years before moving to Dorset and marrying Mike. Lucy has now taken over the administration of point-to-point pony racing and takes great delight in encouraging the younger generation into the sport which has given herself and Mike so much pleasure.

Lucy has two boys – seven-year-old twins Jack and Ned – who are now both following Mum on the hunting field on their ponies. With school the next day they are not going to be at Aintree on Sunday but will certainly be rooting for Lucy from home and anxiously waiting for a result.

Lucy has been riding out at Ditcheat under the supervision of Paul Nicholls and whatever her ride on Sunday there is little doubt she will not just be there to make up the numbers!

Based in Dorset, Lucy will be travelling the furthest on the day in order to line-up at the famous Liverpool course.

Sponsor Lucy here