THE teams have been announced for the annual JCB Champion Challenge at Barbury International Horse Trials, with Sir Mark Todd leading a team of eventers against Richard Johnson’s jump jockeys side.

The race, run in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF) on Saturday, July 9, will feature a stellar line up, with Todd supported by the husband and wife pair of Tim and Jonelle Price and Highworth-based Australian Paul Tapner.

Keen to defend their Champions Challenge crown for a third consecutive year, the jump jockeys will be led by newly-crowned champion jump jockey Johnson, who will be joined by Swindon’s own Wayne Hutchinson, as well as one of the most successful jockeys of the modern era, Tom Scudamore.

The team will be completed by another Swindon-born jockey in the form of John Francome MBE, a former multiple champion jump jockey, who is also vice patron of the IJF.

Meanwhile, the winning junior and senior teams from the inter-hunt relay, held on the same day, will form the final two teams in the challenge.

Speaking ahead of this year's ‘Barbury battle’, Johnson said: “In the summer months, as jump jockeys, we try to take things a bit easier but not this year.

“Myself, Hutchinson, Scudamore and Francome are in serious training and can’t wait to lay down the gauntlet to the eventers.”

Tickets for the Barbury International Horse Trials start from £12 per person per day, booked in advance.

Children under 12 years go free. For information and tickets, visit www.barburyhorsetrials.co.uk or call 01672 516125.