One of the highlights of the weekend was just jumped in Hickstead: the Al Shira'aa Derby. Yesterday the Speed Derby was already on the programme but now it was time for the real thing: a derby over a height of 1m60. Three combinations managed to clear the leaden basic round without faults and returned for the jump-off that would decide everything.
If there is one thing Irish riders should not be taught, it is to ride fast, and David Simpson gave another demonstration of that today. Riding Pjotr van de Kruishoeve (by Bamako de Muze), he clocked off in a time of 90.48 seconds. However, he got one jumping fault behind his name in the process. This was not a problem as his competitors also failed to maintain a clear round. So victory for Simpson in this derby.
William Funnell took both second and third place. He only started with Dublon (by Centauer Z) during the jump-off, which gave them second place. He decided to spare Equine America Billy Diamo (v. Cevin Z) for the jump-off but thus still managed third place.
Daniel Mc Alinden (Keatingstown Z Wellie Two) and Jordan Coyle (Eristov) finished fourth and fifth.
Picture: Press Release