Cheltenham is the home of festivals; literature, jazz, music as well as national hunt racing. And on Friday 11th November, the spa town's famous racecourse offers more than just the spectacle of horses, with a festival of the countryside - the annual Cheltenham Countryside Race Day which heralds the start of three days racing at Cheltenham from the 11-13 November.  

While it will be high class racing as usual the day is run in aid of the Countryside Alliance and Equestrian Team GBR and offers much more. Christmas shopping, a charity lunch and auction, and the perfect opportunity for socialising whilst at the same time supporting, the British Equestrian Teams in their build up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

One of the day's early highlights will be the invitational celebrity cross-country ride supported by Paddy Power, equestrian celebrities, athletes and their horses will take to the course in a bid to be first across the famous finishing post in front of the main grandstand while other potential Olympic and Paralympic riders will be following the ever popular Hound Parade down the racecourse.

Countryside campaigner, Baroness Mallalieu QC will host a special champagne reception and lunch after which diners will be able to assist the fundraising effort by bidding in the auction. Those who are shy of raising their arm can help by putting their names down in the silent auction or buying a ticket for the champagne raffle.

A large shopping area of trade stands offering a cornucopia of goods making it an ideal opportunity for Christmas shopping while jazz bands add to the festival atmosphere.