KELSO Racecourse, a longstanding supporter of the Countryside and all Field Sports, will demonstrate their enthusiasm for country-life with a themed race day on Wednesday, May 2.

The event will educate race goers and demonstrate the benefits and opportunities that are present in rural areas during these tough economic times.

Richard Landale, Managing Director of Kelso Racecourse, said: "I am delighted to welcome and support the people who work so hard to help our diverse and delightful country sports alive and flourishing. It will be a great treat to see them in action and will, I hope, add greatly to everyone's enjoyment of the evening. Please come early to allow time to take advantage of this great opportunity, gates are opening at 3.45pm."

Kelso are keen to make Countryside Evening as popular as possible and have selected a range of supporting events and attractions that compliment our six race National Hunt card.

We are thrilled to announce our feature complimentary event will be a Hound Show that will take place before racing in the Parade Ring from approximately 4.15pm. We are extremely lucky to have been so well supported in this unique event, which has attracted some of the best packs in the Northern area to compete for attractive prize money.

Now in its third year the Hound show has been kindly sponsored by John Manners - Haulage Contractors and Combine Parts and has 4 scheduled classes, Entered Dog, Entered Bitch, Best Couple, Best Group, and an Overall Championship of the winners of each class. Entries have been received from The Jedforest Hunt, Percy Hunt, West Percy Hunt and College Valley and North Northumberland all vying to take home the Prize money and perpetual John Manners trophy.

In their 4th year of coming to Kelso, the Border Hound Trailing Association are always entertaining. Hound Trailing takes place up and down the local countryside most weekends from March through to October in some of the most remote places.

A trail is laid on the morning of the race and in the afternoon the hounds follow this negotiating a range of terrain, racing down hills at speed, clearing dry stone walls, fences, and dykes and any other obstacle in their path to get to the finishing line where their owners will produce a bucket of food as a reward for completing the course. This exciting adrenaline rush will be on show before racing all over the track showcasing the speed and agility of these wonderful animals.

Gates will open at 3.45pm with demonstration & Hound Show taking place before National Hunt racing at commences at 5.45pm- we hope to se you then.