A SOGGY New Forest gave riders in the area's Boxing Day Point-to-Point an added challenge.

Riders traditionally have to find their way from a point not revealed until shortly before the event to a finish where they are watched by huge crowds.

But in this year's dropping temperatures, the air was fresh rather than festive for the crowd watching the finish at Stoney Cross airfield.

The riders had set off from a point near the Royal Oak pub at Fritham and picked their way through a testing course before arriving on the drier run-in to the finishing line.

And it provided a successful day for the Stride family, with commoner Robert Stride riding his father Richard's Hurricane Harry to victory in the heavyweights' race, which drew the biggest entry.

Also well-placed was his uncle, John Stride, on Warren Quantock and a successful day for the family was completed when Robert's cousin Beth won the ladies' race on Bobby's Girl.

Despite the testing conditions, there were plenty of thrills and some desperately- close finishes to the races which are traditionally organised by New Forest Pony Breeding and Cattle Society.