Hundreds flock to enjoy the sunshine at the Peter O'Sullevan Lambourn Open Day

Hundreds of people flocked to the Peter O'Sullevan Lambourn Open Day.

The sun came out, and so did the shorts and T-shirts, for the popular event, held for the first time in three years.

The beer tent did a booming trade, and the day raised a lot of cash for charity, which is still being counted.

Grand National-winning amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen wowed the crowds in an arena show jumping contest against other top jockeys AP McCoy and Nico de Boinville.

AP won the jump off – with Sam a close second.

Other jockeys also took part in a camel race, in which four camels were raced down a 50m stretch.

Charlie Mann’s mount got a bit excited and bucked, and he ended up in an unscheduled dismount on the floor.

But he got back on, with his pride slightly bruised, with cheers from the watching crowd.

Chief organiser Mark Smyly said: “The Peter O’Sullevan Lambourn Open Day was a great success under glorious sunshine.

“It was wonderful to be able to show off Lambourn once again. The afternoon events were tremendous fun, and fiercely competitive, particularly when AP McCoy and Grand National winning jockey Sam Waley-Cohen were involved.

“We do not know yet how much money was raised, but the figure is sure to be up to the record set in 2019, pre-epidemic.

“As important as the money is, the day is also terrific PR for horseracing as well, of course, for Lambourn.”

Some of the country’s top trainers opened their yards to the public to the delight of many visitors able to pat and stroke some of the best racehorses in the country.

“It’s amazing to be able to stroke the horses,” said 11-year-old Susan Walker, visiting Warren Greatrex’s yard with her mother Emma from Reading.

“They are so friendly,” she added.

Demonstrations of horses in swimming pools, on water treadmills and in training over jumps hurdles were also laid on by different yards.

“We are here because our daughter got a job at Clive Cox’s yard,” said proud father Dave from Swindon, enjoying a cold pint in the heat of the day.

“We knew nothing about horses, but now it’s so great to see all the work they do.”

For more than 30 years, the Lambourn Open Day has raised funds for working stable staff.

All profits from the day go towards helping them and their families and the bulk of the money goes to The Lambourn Valley Housing Trust.

The rest goes to the Thames Valley Air Ambulance and Lambourn School.