Horse of the Year Show debutant David Will made an immediate impression at Birmingham's LG Arena when he landed the Sky Sports Trophy speed class after an impressive performance on Colorit. The German rider clocked a time of 57.11 seconds to defeat a high-class field that included the likes of Great Britain's world number one Scott Brash, Belgium's former World Champion Philippe Le Jeune and rising Irish star Bertram Allen. Frenchman Julien Epaillard took second spot aboard Cristallo A LM, 68 hundredths of a second behind Will, while leading British combination Robert Whitaker and USA Today finished third, just in front of Robert's cousin Joe, who was riding Lola V. "I am very happy," said David, after collecting the £7,100 winner's purse. "Colorit played the game with me really well, but I didn't think it would last because there were so many good riders to come behind me, and it was very nerve-wracking. "But my plan worked out really well, and I was able to stick to it. It is a great feeling to have won." Earlier in the evening, Kent rider Jude Burgess produced a brilliant performance on Carvelo Z to land the prestigious Horse and Hound Senior Foxhunter Championship. The class is a major stage for young equine talent, and riders such as Michael Whitaker, Will Funnell, Davdi Broome and Laura Renwick are among its previous winners. This year it was Tunbridge Wells-based Burgess who prevailed, winning a thrilling jump-off by just under a second from Oxfordshire's Geoff Luckett (Canant). Sussex showjumper Nicole Pavitt, who was third on Contessa IV, just missed out on becoming the first rider to claim a EquestrianClearance.com Senior Newcomers and Horse & Hound Senior Foxhunter double at the same HOYS. Jude bought the horse as a three-year-old and its quality was so evident during one of the most hotly-contested Foxhunters for many years. "I did think I had a chance," Jude said. "He is quick and super-careful, and you just hope for a bit of luck on the day. Everything came off. "I knew Nicole and Geoff were still to come after me, and they are both really quick riders, so I had to try and go into the lead and try to put pressure on them. "He is a really clever horse, one of those that you know if you do your job right then he is not going to let you down. "He will have some time off now, then we will get him fit and ready for the New Year and probably take him down to Portugal for a Tour."
