In doing so, she was three seconds faster than William Rekert who rode Concert Z (by Candillo 3) to second place. This combination also completed the course with one jumping fault and stopped the chrono after 104.79 seconds. Jay Halim completed the podium. Riding Zuniek vd Tojopehoeve Z (by VDL Zirocco Blue), he finished in 106.21 seconds, also with one jumping fault. 

Ryan Lockwood (Hyperion VP Wisbecq) and Michael Pender (HHS Fortune) completed the top five.

Picture: Press Release

It was Kent-based Ella’s first ever attempt at the 1.45m world-ranking speed class, which features many of Hickstead’s unique obstacles. Drawn 11th to go out of the 26 starters, she set off in determined fashion, especially after an early fence down put pressure on. But even with the 4sec time penalty, she still finished in a time of 101.72sec to take the win.“I wasn't happy fence two came down, but I just thought, keep going really fast – it doesn’t matter,” said Ella. “It was quite incredible, and quite shocking that I managed to win!”

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