Hickstead All England September Tour Week 1
Monday 05 September 2022
 edit.jpg "Hickstead All England September Tour Week 1")
What a show it has been so far after week one of the All England September Tour at Hickstead!
Ireland's Jessica Burke had a day to remember on Friday, winning both the Five Year Old and Six Year Old divisions in the Billy Stud Auction Star of the Future championships.
Jessica had three horses through to the 11-strong jump-off in the Six Year Olds, with last to go Billy Be Boss proving the quickest of all. It was a fabulous result for Hickstead’s Executive Director Lizzie Bunn, who bought Billy Be Boss in the Billy Stud auction in 2020.
It was only the second time Jessica has ridden the Billy Congo-sired gelding. “He’s a very brave and scopey horse, and he felt brilliant in the warm-up so I knew I could really have a go on him,” she said.
In the Five Year Old section, Jessica’s win came courtesy of Billy Candle, who won by more than 4sec. “I only started riding her a month ago, but she’s a really cool horse – such a fighter, quite feisty but so careful,” she said.
Eleven horses jumped double clear to share the honours in the NEXGEN Four Year Old Star of the Future, including CHF Carraigdown Louis for Jessica Burke and Billy Mojito with Connie Gill, another recent auction purchase for Lizzie Bunn.
Olympic event rider Gemma Stevens (nee Tattersall) added another Hickstead victory to her tally, winning the Breen Equestrian 1.40m Open with MGH Candy Girl.
The West Sussex-based rider combines showjumping with her top-level eventing career, and is no stranger to success in the Longines International Arena. Back in July she won the Ashby Underwriting Eventers’ Challenge, and today she proved her Hickstead prowess by winning the opening class of the day, which acts as a qualifier for this Sunday’s Sussex Cup.
A total of 22 riders went clear in the first round, with Gemma and MGH Candy Girl finishing more than a second faster than runner-up Philip Spivey on Billy Pearl. The win made up for Gemma having missed out on winning Thursday’s 1.40m class, which went to John Crippen and Ici Van De Rikse.
“Yesterday [Thursday] she jumped phenomenally well and was actually 2.5sec faster than anyone else but she just touched the last fence!” explained Gemma. “So today we went quick but not flat out. She’s amazing, such a careful jumper and naturally fast.”
Scottish rider Nicole Lockhead Anderson added another Hickstead sash to her collection when claiming the honours in the TDA Telecoms Seven Year Old Star of the Future Final on Saturday.
Twenty-four combinations came forward for Saturday’s feature class at the All England September Tour, with eight of those producing clears in the first round. Despite being drawn first to go in the jump-off, Nicole set such a quick time on board Emerald Irish Cruise that she ended up being 1.5sec quicker than runner-up Jessica Burke (Billy Etna).
“I was first to go so I had to take some risks as I knew some behind me would go fast, but she likes to go quick so she makes it very easy,” said Nicole, who wasn’t phased by her draw. “I quite like going in and doing my own thing, and luckily today it paid off.”
Nicole is getting a reputation as being a formidable force against the clock, but today she gave credit to her Irish Sports Horse mare. “She’s amazing, every time she comes out she wants to win. She just loves the big arena, and she’s been incredible since day one.”
The first class of the day, the Hy Equestrian Hickstead 1.10m Amateur Championship, was also won by the first drawn rider in the jump-off. Vicky Lovegrove and the 10-year-old stallion Bonaparte Z set an unbeatable time of 39.37sec to see them take the title ahead of Melissa Garry and Billy Elsyng.
“He is the most laid-back stallion ever, so chilled with a lovely temperament,” said Vicky. “The girls at home ride him and hack him out.”
Similarly, in the EQ Horseboxes 1.20m Amateur Championship, Rebecca Middleton and Last Thought produced the first double clear and held on to the lead throughout. “It was amazing – I burst into tears when I found out I'd won!” she said.
Rebecca got Last Thought from William Funnell in 2019, and she has produced the nine-year-old gelding up through the levels from 90cm. “We have just grown together. I'd quite like to move through the stages, I’ve just done a few 1.30m with him. William and Roger from the Billy Stud have been a big support, so I couldn’t have done this without them, him, and my husband!”
The last class of the day, however, was won by the last combination to go - with Georgia Darlington and Lisa's Dream taking the honours in the Spidge Photography 1.00m Open Championship. It was a case of third time lucky for the pair, who had qualified for the same final twice previously.
"I've had her for six years, and we started doing working hunter pony classes originally and she's been in the England working hunter team three times and had two third placings at HOYS," said Georgia. "I'm now out of the class on her so she's been showjumping and has been doing really well."
Jessica Burke won Sunday’s 1.40m Sussex Cup with Inpulss, crowning a fabulous first week at the All England September Tour for the Irish rider.
A total of 37 combinations came forward for the £6,000 feature class, with only six producing a clear round. Just three of these went double clear, with Jessica the fastest in a time of 41.42sec ahead of runners-up Tim Davies and Nielson (41.75sec) and Emma Louise Stoker, who finished third on Indekann HK (43.79sec).
“Inpulss is an absolute weapon, she’s fearless,” said Jessica of the nine-year-old mare. “I need to do some planning for next week, but we’ll definitely be jumping the Grand Prix.”
Another rider on fine form this week is event rider Gemma Stevens, who took the Hickstead 1.30m Open Championship with Balou For Pleasure.
“I’m chuffed to bits with him, I’ve only had him a couple of months,” said Gemma, who has spent the summer working on the horse’s fitness and flatwork. “He’s a little bit of a quirky boy and likes to show everyone his tummy every now and again!”
The pair have just done their first 1.40m together, and Gemma rates him as one for the future. “It’s so nice to have another one coming up behind Candy Girl, and to have another one who can jump those big classes. He’s a really exciting horse for me. He wants to be careful, but he’s so scopey and he’s really starting to trust me now.”
Tom Whitaker had his first Longines International Arena victory this morning, winning the Hickstead Novice Championship on catch ride Sandyhill Candy.
“I’ve been second here many times so it’s nice to finally get a win here,” said Tom, who finished more than 2sec faster than his nearest competitor with the seven-year-old gelding. “Nicole Pavitt’s been riding him and she’s done a brilliant job, but she’s been off recovering from an operation on her collar bone,” he explained.
Hannah Tiley won the Stoner Jewellers 1.20m Open Championship with Capistelle Jx, finishing a second ahead of Sam Ward (Di’s Girl). “I wanted to put the pressure on from the beginning as I was third to go, and it paid off. It was horrible watching everyone else go!” said Hannah.
Sunday brought week one of the All England Jumping Tour to a close, before action resumes again from 7 - 11 September, with the action livestreamed throughout on Hickstead.TV and ClipMyHorse.TV. Admission and parking is free to spectators.
© Elli Birch/Boots and Hooves Photography.
.jpg "Laura Renwick Dominates in the Redpost Equestrian Senior Foxhunter Second Round at Felbridge Showground")
