Amanda finds Oasis amid heatwave
Thursday 25 July 2019
British showjumping team rider Amanda Derbyshire took her first win with new ride Oasis Spirit in the Bunn Leisure Vase, getting her week at Hickstead off to the best of starts.
“It’s pretty special to do that here,” says the 30-year-old rider, who rode at last year’s FEI World Equestrian Games in Tryon. “I only got her at the end of last year, and she hadn’t done much over in Ireland where she was bred. I’ve been slowly producing her this year and I really love her.”
Derbyshire, who’s based in Wellington, Florida, but was raised in Lancashire, is enjoying reacquainting herself with the iconic Sussex venue.
“Last year was my first year back since I was in pony classes – so it’s been about twelve years, at least,” she explains. “In America there’s a few big arenas like this, especially at the Hampton Classic, which would be the most similar. But it’s so special to be in front of a home crowd and win in front of them, too – now we’re hoping we can carry that on in the Nations Cup, which is the most important thing.”
Amanda lines up alongside team mates Ben Maher, Amy Inglis and James Wilson for tomorrow’s Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ of Great Britain. The Brits are hoping for their first home win since 2010.
The Longines Royal International Horse Show takes place at Hickstead in West Sussex (23-28 July), with international showjumping being held alongside championship showing classes and national jumping competitions.
Photographer credit: Emily Gailey
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