THE Foxberry Chasers team have been clocking up the miles in their quest for the thrill of team chasing.

The team, based at and sponsored by the UK Chasers course at Foxberry, Caldwell, headed to the Atherstone Hunt event in Bedworth, Warwickshire.

Helen Foulds, a firefighter from Middleton in Teesdale, joined the regular duo of Sara Metcalfe and Sarah Davies plus last-minute reserve Katie Milner to record a creditable eighth place in the intermediate class.

It was Helen's first event and, after a night shift on duty and a very long drive, she has definitely caught the bug.

The Atherstone event is renowned for its huge hedges and fast course, so a number of experienced open teams use it as a pipe opener at the start of the season.

"We were up against some very big names", said Sara Metcalfe, who leads the team on her horse Vader.

"But I don't think we did too bad with a team chase virgin in the team."

October 1 started early with some team changes and a long drive down to the Meynell and South Staffs.

Gary Bland, from Aldbrough, came back into the team on his speed horse Lofty as Katie Milner was competing at Witton.

Helen Foulds had to pull out because her horse Dylan developed a slightly swollen leg, but a friend of Sara Metcalfe's rang her team chasing sister in Derbyshire, who came up trumps with one of her team-mates who had two intermediate horses.

Philippa Slater met the Foxberry Chasers team at the course near Ashbourne in Derbyshire after riding in the novice and with her other intermediate team.

The team were last to go after more than 20 other teams, but finished in third place. They also won the special prize for the best visiting hunt.

Next stop could be the Cotswold Hunt event on October 29 if the team can keep four horses and riders fit and well.

For more information about team chasing, visit the web site at www.teamchasing.co.uk.