THREE of Britain's Olympic three day event riders have returned from Sydney to compete at the fourth Witton Castle Horse Trials this weekend.

Spectators will be able to see team silver medallists Leslie Law and Jeanette Brakewell, along with Barnard Castle's Karen Dixon, in action at close quarters around the picturesque course.

The charity event, sponsored by Smiths Gore, takes place tomorrow and Sunday. The success of the first three has enabled the event committee to donate £12,000 to the designated charities, the Butterwick Children's Hospice and Riding for the Disabled.

Over the two days, around 400-500 horses will undertake the dressage, show jumping and cross-country disciplines.

The control and balance shown in the dressage is followed by the show jumping phase, requiring skill and precision of horse and rider. The final phase is the exciting cross-country, where the pair must show courage to tackle a course of fixed obstacles around the park.

Witton Castle is situated just east of the A68, approximately three miles north of West Auckland. All three phases of dressage, show jumping and cross-country take place on both days.

Refreshments are available on site and entry is £5 per car