British show jumper Guy Williams claimed the top spot at the DFS Hickstead Derby yesterday. Being drawn last to go in the thirty-eight strong field proved to be no problem as he rode a foot perfect clear aboard Softrack Skip Two Ramiro.
He was one of two riders to go clear, Tina Fletcher’s round was only a fifty-first clear in fifty years of the Derby, but Williams and Ramiro matched her performance.
Guy Williams Skips to Success in the DFS Hickstead Derby
The punishing course is deeply respected throughout the equestrian world for its imposing challenges such as the famous Derby Bank and the Devils Dyke.
Williams confirmed that ‘practice makes perfect’ after landing his first DFS Derby title. The Kent-based rider took no chances during his Derby preparations by building a Devils Dyke-style fence at his yard in the village of Stelling Minnis.
The fence had repeatedly caused Williams and Softrack Skip Two Ramiro problems on previous Derby missions, but not this time as he beat Tina Fletcher in a jump-off.
“For the past four weeks he’s been jumped through it every day by my grooms. This win is the result of a real team effort. I’ve been aiming him at this completely, and done very little else with him this year.”
Following a spectacular jump-off, Williams won by almost sixteen seconds after both riders again went clear, and claimed the £40,000 jackpot.
Fletcher, who lives in Newbury with her ex-international showjumper husband Graham, collected £25,000, while there was a six-way tie for third. Robert Smith (Talan), Douglas Duffin (Volcano), David O’Brien (Mo Chroi), William Funnell (Kannelle de la Baie), Billy Twomey (Blue Thunder) and Germany’s Andre Thieme (Nacorde) each collected £8,840.
Fletcher, had already carved her name into Hickstead history by winning the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Cup on Overa three years ago. But she admitted to having mixed emotions after failing to become Hickstead’s first female Derby champion in thirty-seven years after Alison Dawes triumphed on Mr Banbury.
“The feeling is both thrilling and gutting,” said Fletcher; “at this moment in time, I feel gutted, but to jump a double clear in the Derby is amazing.
