A huntsman cleared two months ago of attacking a woman hunt saboteur was arrested following a clash with protesters, the Countryside Alliance said.

Jonathan Broise, 46, was questioned by police after allegedly assaulting two saboteurs during a meeting of the Chiddingfold, Leconfield and Cowdray Hunt near Petworth on Sunday morning.

Mr Broise, of London Road, Petworth, was released on police bail without charge, a Sussex Police spokesman said.

A police source said Mr Broise was arrested in connection with an assault on a male saboteur only.

The Hunt Saboteurs Association claim protester Wendy Bridle was trodden on by a horse and fellow demonstrator Paul Loader was hit in the face with a hunting horn during a fracas at Graffham.

A spokesman said three ambulances and three police cars were called to the scene before Mr Broise was led away.

He said: "Wendy suffered a dislocated shoulder and fractures and Paul received cuts to his face and a smashed tooth."

The Countryside Alliance claims Mr Broise was targeted first by the saboteurs, who grabbed his horse's reins, causing it to rear up, as part of an orchestrated campaign.

In July this year, Mr Broise spoke of his relief after a jury at Chichester Crown Court unanimously acquitted him of assaulting protester Jaine Wild.

Mr Broise denied a charge of causing actual bodily harm to Mrs Wild and a similar charge against Mrs Wild's husband, Simon, 45.

The couple run an animal welfare centre from their home in Bognor.

Countryside Alliance spokesman Peter Setterfield said: "Police took Mr Broise to a police station where they questioned him and later released him without charge.

"The incident was part of an orchestrated campaign against Mr Broise.

"We believe more saboteurs have been encouraged to target the Chiddingfold, Leconfield and Cowdray Hunt.

"We are now seeing up to 30 saboteurs at each meeting - far more than normal. I think they are trying to make Mr Broise make a mistake."