Irish rider wins in week one of Hickstead tour
Trevor Breen wins latest title
Trevor Breen added another Hickstead title to his resumé when claiming Sunday’s Science Supplements Trophy.
The Irish rider has won most of Hickstead’s biggest classes includingtheDerby,SpeedDerby, Queen’s Cup, Nations Cup and the All England Grand Prix, and today he added the feature 1.40m competition thanks to a polished performance on the homebred nine-year-old Highland President.
“Alotofblood,sweatandtears hasgoneintothishorse,he’squite strong but he’s getting better and moreconsistentallthetime,”said Trevor.
The pair was first to go in the jump-off with four other combinations to follow. “To be honest my plan was to go as fast as I could on my horse and what will be will be after that,” Trevor added.“Thehorsehasn’tjumped that much against the clock so I did feel I’d left the door open a bit fortheothersbutluckilyitwasmy day today.”
Breen is now hoping to repeat his win in next week’s Science Supplements All England Grand Prix, so that he can claim the Grand Slam bonus prize of £5,000.“Itwouldbefoolishnotto goforit,soI’lldefinitelybegearing him up for the grand prix and I’ll be hoping lightning can strike twice.”
Chloe Gunning and Iglesias hit the right note in the Lemieux All England 1.30m Open Championship, finishing the jump-offmorethanfourseconds quicker than Jane Annett and Quissini LS in second place.
Douglas Duffin and Zara Zing were in superb form to win the Stoner Jewellers 1.20m Open Championship.Douglashasbeen competing the grey mare for a month while her owner has been busy with work commitments, and after this show she will be going back to her regular rider Jo McGloryandwillbesteppingback up to 1.40m level.
The Billy Stud Auction
Novice Championship went to Alex Bishop and the six-yearold British-bred mare Nobelle Casscania.
Ireland’s Peter Moloney continuedhiswinningHickstead form with a win in the Al Shira’aa SevenYearOldStarOfTheFuture class on Saturday.
Having taken the top two spots in the Seven Year Old championship at the Prenetics Royal International Horse Show inJuly,headdedanotherwinwith Pepper D’Or. The pair finished almost four seconds quicker than Cressy Neads and Bisquetta Squalls Estate Z in second, and Peter also took fourth place with his RIHS winner Cabo Verde II.
“I’m delighted to have two horsesintheplacings,andPepper D’Or was second in July so it was nicethathewentonebettertoday,” saidPeter,whoisnowfavouriteto claim the Al Shira’aa-sponsored Seven Year Old points league. In the HY Equestrian Hickstead 1.10m Amateur Championship, Briony Martin secured her first big Hickstead win with new ride Unex Omega Star. “This is only my second show with him, I’ve only had him a month – to qualify is amazing let alone to win. He’s one in a million,” said Briony.
The Science Supplements 1.20m Amateur Championship was won by Arianna Kuligowski and her mare Ivascalle. With the first leg of the 1.20m grand slam under her belt, she now has her sights firmly set on winning next week’s second leg.
“I could not have asked for anything more from her, she tries her hardest all the time. To win in here, you can’t beat it, even goinginthatringisamazing,”said Arianna.
A grand slam bonus could also be on the cards for Jay Halim, winner of the Science Supplements 1.00m Open Championship with Billy Cointreau,iftheycanrepeattheir win next week. With Jay having already claimed a 1.40m Open class this week, he’s obviously on flying form.
Lucy Townley enjoyed a definitive victory at Hickstead on Friday,claimingtheAlShira’aaSix Year Old Star of the Future class with the mare Billy Marionette. LucyisthedaughterofHickstead Director Edward Bunn, so it was great to see her win at her ‘home’ showground. She produced a fast jump-off to go nearly three secondsclearofTrevorBreenand Glenard Kannendro.
Lucyisoneofthestablejockeys for the Billy Stud, who were well represented across today’s Al Shira’aa young horse classes. Lucy got Marionette from one of thestud’sauctions,anddescribes her as the best horse she’s ever bought.
Earlier, the five-year-old division went to Georgia Lovett and Lola Caterina; while nine four-year-olds jumped double clears to share the honours.
The first class of Friday was the Science Supplements 1.40m Open, which saw Phillip Miller andtheexperiencedcampaigner Unbelievable Lady take the top spot ahead of Douglas Duffin and Imperium RJ.
“PhillipandUnbelievableLady love that ring so it’s great to see thembackonwinningform,”said the horse’s owner, Shirley Light.