WAS it The Sweeney? Or possibly The Bill? Surely not Dixon of Dock Green? Anyway, the villains ran for cover as the wail of police sirens echoed around the spacious indoor arena of Bromyard Equestrian Centre.

In fact, it wasn't only the bad boys who legged it.

Some of the horses looked as if they might join them. Fortunately all the riders sat tight and order was soon restored.

After all, it was only the introduction music to the quadrille display by a team called Cops and Robbers at an innovative evening organised by Bromyard and District Riding Club.

The event followed the format of a traditional quadrille - with four riders in costume performing a display to music of their choice - with some extra entertainment in the form of pairs riding to music and a display of dressage to music and Prix St Georges level by Kate Atlee riding Loch Ness, who is due to compete overseas later this month.

Although run for fun, the audience were given the chance to vote for their favourite act. The "people's choice" - the quadrille entitled Cops and Robbers - embodied the spirit of quadrille with riders dressed up in police and robber garb.

The foursome comprised Jane Allfrey on Woodie and Lynn McMenamin on Quincy, both from Storridge, Hollie Clarke on Eccles from Alfrick and Emma Harrington on Fred from Canon Frome.

Other displays included "The Big Fight (Live)," an entertaining horseback recreation of a Rocky clash, and The Sorcerer's Apprentices, who turned their horses into unicorns with the magic of glitter and glue.

"We're delighted with the event and would like to thank everyone who was involved," says Jill Cartlidge, organiser. "Some of the participants and audience travelled a long way to help make the evening a success. It shows the appetite for this type of fun and entertaining event. It was far more successful than we ever hoped for and there's every chance we will repeat it.

"The imagination and effort that went into creating the costumes and working out the routines was tremendous. How some of the outfits, especially the headgear, stayed in place I don't know.

"The theme music for the displays was brilliant too. Someone described it as a menagerie of music' and that just about sums it up. I think when the police sirens announced the cops and robbers routine there were a few startled faces, but everything settled down and everyone enjoyed it."

The term Quadrille first came into use in the 17th century to describe military parades where four horsemen and their horses performed special square shaped formations or figures. It is probably derived from the Spanish word "cuadrillo" (meaning "four") and from the Latin "quadratus" (meaning "square").

In modern usage, it is a display of horsemanship that tells a story, set to music and should be a delight to watch. Every year, riding clubs compete in a national quadrille competition. Following a qualifying round in October, four teams are selected to go to the final at Olympia at Christmas.

It is a discipline that fits well into the format of Bromyard and District Riding Club, which offers a variety of equestrian activities for its members, from beginner to advanced riders. These include training clinics in flatwork, show jumping and cross country, and team entries in Mercian and Area competitions.

The club was established in 1981 and is affiliated to the British Riding Clubs movement under the umbrella of the British Horse Society.

Bromyard Equestrian Centre also proved an ideal venue, being a purpose built competition and training complex designed specifically for the competitor, the spectator and their family and friends who like to come and support. Facilities include indoor and outdoor arenas, viewing galleries, showers, saddlery shop and café. The arenas are available for private hire as well as for competitions and demonstrations.

Various affiliated and non-affiliated competitions are held at the venue, but not often accompanied by the sound of police sirens.