EQUESTRIAN Relief, the fundraising initiative set up by the team at Bolesworth, has raised £250,000 for the NHS Charities Together Covid-19 Urgent Appeal.

The seven teams from show jumping, dressage, eventing, polo and racing circles took part in daily challenges, culminating in the finale on Monday night, judged by TV presenter and Pop Idol judge Nicky Chapman and opera singer Russell Watson.

Top lot in the charity auction was membership of a Nick Bradley Racing syndicate which raised £7,501. Zara Tindall's painting from the Horse Drawn challenge raised £5,700. Frankie Dettori's signed breeches raised £4,900 and the round of golf with Sir AP McCoy and Oli Bell earned £3,800. Collectively the charity auction added £165,440 to the overall amount raised.

Nina Barbour, Bolesworth Managing Director, said: "It has been an overwhelming fortnight - and we are delighted to be in a position to be donating over quarter of a millions pounds to the NHS Covid-19 Crisis Fund.

"I would just like to extend a massive thank you to everyone from the equestrian world who has supported this fantastic cause in every way, and helped us achieve this great result."

Ellie Orton, CEO or NHS Charities Together, said: "We are massively grateful and inspired by all of the sports people, who are our idols, that are giving back and saying thank you. To hear the NHS are their heroes is fantastic and although the donations are important, as they'll make a massive difference, it's the morale and emotions that are involved which mean so much to all of our teams.”

Zara Tindall, team captain for the winning eventing team, said: "It was a honour to be asked to get involved with Equestrian Relief, such an amazing group of people to be able to come together to try and support our NHS for the unbelievable job they are doing to fight this war against coronavirus and hoping that the money raised will help in the areas that it is really needed.”

Sir AP McCoy of team Racing added: "It was a pleasure to be involved and I'm really proud of everyone from the equestrian world for helping to raise a great sum of money for a cause that has touched everyone in recent times."

It is still possible to make a donation by visiting www.equestrianrelief.com, where you can see the full results and to revisit all of the action.