Trevor Breen claimed the 2012 Amlin Plus Eventing Grand Prix for the showjumpers, with the sole clear round of the class on his former Hickstead Speed Derby winner, Adventure de Kannan.
He posted one of the fastest times on Karen Swann’s 12-year-old gelding, completing the twisting and demanding course in 193.44secs, despite the tacky ground conditions.
Andrew Nicholson – last to jump on Quimbo – attempted to wrestle the title back for the eventers. But the pair had one fence down on the cross-country phase, putting them in second place.
Third place went to the Grand National-winning jockey Robbie Power, making his debut in the class.
Robbie – riding his sister Elizabeth’s three-star eventer Doonaveeragh O One – had an unlucky showjump down in the early part of the course.
He won the 2007 Grand National on Silver Birch – but started off showjumping and is a former young rider medallist for Ireland.
This entertaining competition – now in its 15th year – claimed some notable victims, including the 2005 winner, Mark Kyle, whose horse Step In Time locked onto and jumped the wrong fence two from home.
And Guy Williams’ 2010 Hickstead Derby winner, Skip Two Ramiro said a firm ‘no thanks’ to the first water complex on the cross-country phase, prompting Guy to retire.
