WORLD three-day event champion and BBC Sports Personality of the Year Zara Phillips will be among top riders to compete in horse trials this weekend.

Oliver Townend, who was part of the Great Britain team that retained the European eventing title in Italy last week, will also take part in the event at Aske Hall, near Richmond, on Saturday and Sunday.

Estate agency Charlton's has sponsored the showjumping element of the competition to support voluntary work by one of its employees.

Emma Yarrow, a graduate building surveyor in the company's Darlington office, helps to organise the showjumping at the trials, held twice a year on the Aske estate.

Mike Charlton, principal at the company, said: "Emma has only been with us for a short while, but her passion for and commitment to both her work and her sport is already plain to see, and we are very pleased to be supporting such a prestigious regional event."

Miss Yarrow said: "Aske horse trials is a top quality event and a highlight in the North of England's equestrian calendar.

"Helping to organise the event involves a lot of hard work, but it's great fun, too, and we are looking forward to another successful event this weekend."