A Unique Queen Elizabeth II Win at Hickstead

Saturday 31 July 2010

 
Anna Edwards with her own nine year old bay gelding Unique IX produced the only double clear of the competition to secure the Old Lodge sponsored Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Hickstead this afternoon.

Being one of only four clears in the first round from a field of twenty three starters, Anna was forced to lead from the front being the first combination to enter the arena in the jump off. With the strategy of going clear in a time that would still allow others to beat it but hopefully force them to make a mistake, Anna produced just this in a time of 52.06.
  
Managing to shave almost two seconds from Anna’s time was the in-form Tina Fletcher with her husband Graham’s horse Promised Land but an unfortunate four faults relegated  her to second place, followed by Tracy Priest riding Calle who again incurred four faults in a time two seconds slower than Tina’s. Irelands David Simpson with Cruise With Me lowered two fences in a time of 58.44 to finish in fourth position.

Talking to Anna shortly after her win she said “I’m absolutely elated, words just can’t describe how I feel. First to go in the jump off, I just came out the ring knowing that the time could be beaten and too nervous to watch the others go behind me. I stood out in the warm-up arena with Unique thinking I’d just wait until someone came and told me where we’d finished. When I was told I’d won, I really couldn’t believe it – in fact, I still can’t it’s like a dream come true.”

“This is my first Queens, I came here hoping to get round – to win it is beyond my wildest expectations. This has been such a tremendous year for me, it’s been a whirlwind and unbelievable from going out on my first Nations Cup to now winning this.   The next thing for us is for Unique to have a bit of a rest. We’ll then regroup with Rob Hoekstra (World Class Showjumping Performance Manager) and look at the rest of the year ahead and how to best plan for it” Anna further said.

Anna joins a list of former winners that reads like a Who’s Who of Showjumping including stars such as Pat Smythe, Marion Mould, Liz Edgar and Laura Kraut to name a few. Most definitely a highlight in Anna’s career and a title that all would welcome having under their belt.
Results:
1.         Anna Edwards/Unique IX            0/0 (52.06) GBR
2.         Tina Fletcher/Promised Land      0/4 (50.45) GBR
3.         Tracy Priest/Calle                      0/4 (52.39) GBR
4.         David Simpson/Cruise With Me   0/8 (58.44) GBR
5.         Ellen Whitaker/Ocolado              4    (82.04) GBR
6.        Laura Renwick/Oz De Breve         4    (82.53) GBR