Unique event takes a breather but will be back in 2012

The Ledbury Hunt’s New Year’s Eve Golden Button Challenge will not take place this year, but will be back in 2012.

Event secretary Louise Daly said: “After five fabulous years, in which the Golden Button Challenge has grown far bigger than expected, the course between Forthampton and Tirley needs a break.

“Landowners along the route have been wonderfully supportive, but a very cold winter and dry spring made growing conditions difficult, and we all agreed it was sensible to give the venue an additional 12 months to recover.

“Other venues were considered and we were grateful for suggestions, but for various reasons they were not quite suitable.

“One element of the Hayes Golden Button Challenge has been the New Year’s Eve ball – we had already decided to give that a one-year break, and we now plan to bring the two events back as one in 2012.”

Louise stressed: “We are sorry for those people who had been preparing horses for this year’s Golden Button, but we were unable to release this information sooner while all other avenues were being explored.”

First run in 2006, the Golden Button – a three-mile cross-country challenge – has been won by team chasers, professional jockeys, amateurs and hunt-ride specialists.