The annual show at Hickstead, eagerly awaited by riders and spectators alike, is back and kicked off on Thursday with several four-star, including the 1.50m which was the main challenge. The top five consisted out of local riders, not leaving room for the others. Riding the 14-year-old mare SHW Candies B, Will Edwards produced a speedy round in the six-strong jump-off to finish more than 2sec quicker than Jessica Hewitt and Arbitrage.
Only six of the twenty-seven combinations managed to secure a place in the jump-off. Especially the local combinations were able to flourish in front of their own audience with a victory for Will Edwards. In both the base and jump-off, the Brit remained clear with the Chacco-Blue daughter SHW Candies B and triumphed with a lead of over two seconds. Fellow countrywoman Jessica Hewitt followed at two in the saddle of Arbitrage (Vitaal G). They were followed on the heels of Allan Clutterbuck who also managed to finish clear aboard Vykinbay (Quartz du Chanu) and took third.
“The mare has been amazing for so many years – she's come here for the last four years and been placed in so many classes, but to finally win one is fantastic,” said Shropshire-based Will. “It was a tough jump-off – but it’s always tough, when you’re at this level.”
Edwards piled praise on the homebred SHW Candies B following the victory. “She’s just an out-and-out athlete. She’s been amazing since day one. We’ve had her since a three-year-old and always, from day one, she’s wanted to win. She’s always gone in there and she’s naturally very competitive.”
William Fletcher took places four and five by staying clear on the KWPN mare Iwalinde (Zirocco Blue). Riding the 11-year-old Israel (Dexter R), Fletcher recorded the fastest time but a beam in the sand left them finishing in fifth place.
Full results
Source & F. ©: Press Release (edited)
Only six of the twenty-seven combinations managed to secure a place in the jump-off. Especially the local combinations were able to flourish in front of their own audience with a victory for Will Edwards. In both the base and jump-off, the Brit remained clear with the Chacco-Blue daughter SHW Candies B and triumphed with a lead of over two seconds. Fellow countrywoman Jessica Hewitt followed at two in the saddle of Arbitrage (Vitaal G). They were followed on the heels of Allan Clutterbuck who also managed to finish clear aboard Vykinbay (Quartz du Chanu) and took third.
“The mare has been amazing for so many years – she's come here for the last four years and been placed in so many classes, but to finally win one is fantastic,” said Shropshire-based Will. “It was a tough jump-off – but it’s always tough, when you’re at this level.”
Edwards piled praise on the homebred SHW Candies B following the victory. “She’s just an out-and-out athlete. She’s been amazing since day one. We’ve had her since a three-year-old and always, from day one, she’s wanted to win. She’s always gone in there and she’s naturally very competitive.”
William Fletcher took places four and five by staying clear on the KWPN mare Iwalinde (Zirocco Blue). Riding the 11-year-old Israel (Dexter R), Fletcher recorded the fastest time but a beam in the sand left them finishing in fifth place.
Full results
Source & F. ©: Press Release (edited)