Video: The Duke and Duchess of Devonshire open the Chatsworth horse trials

The Dodson & Horrell Chatsworth International Horse Trials 2016. The official launch with The Duchess of Devonshire, Britain's leading rider and world number four William Fox-Pitt, Sam Horrell, Chief Executive Officer at Dodson & Horrell, Event Director Patricia Clifton, and Dodson & Horrell ambassadors Spencer Sturmey and Laura Collitt. Photo: Chris Etchells

The Duke and Duchess of Devonshire were today in attendance at the Dodson & Horrell Chatsworth International Horse Trials.

An experienced and knowledgeable horsewoman, the Duchess particularly enjoyed welcoming the leading annual equestrian event to Chatsworth.

Britain’s leading rider is world number four William Fox-Pitt, a previous winner at Chatsworth, and he has horses entered in both classes including his 2015 Badminton winner, the magnificent chestnut stallion Chilli Morning, in the Dodson & Horrell Challenge.

The event will be a selection trial for this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil.

Joining Fox-Pitt was eventing rider Spencer Sturmey, one of the Dodson & Horrell ambassadors, along with Sam Horrell, Dodson & Horrell’s chief executive.

Dodson & Horrell supports a variety of top equestrian athletes who make up ‘Team D&H’. The ambassadors play a vital role within the company by highlighting the quality of the feed and nutritional advice representing a variety of disciplines - carriage driving, eventing, para-dressage, showjumping and dressage.