The brilliance of the Hickstead Derby is that it’s a real gladiatorial-style competition. Like a puissance, it’s simplistic — if you jump clear you’re at the top end of the podium. It’s not about looking good, it’s about horse and rider giving their all — and this year’s Derby really lived up to that.
I thought maybe there was going to be three clears and I was surprised to see only one. Nigel Coupe’s Golvers Hill looked like a horse that wants to win. William Whitaker rode a beautiful round and Harriet Nuttall was another who could have jumped a clear.
First-timer Alfie Bradstock surpassed himself with eight faults and Caicos looks like an exciting prospect for the future.
My horse, Erasmus, showed a lot of promise and our faults didn’t reflect how well he jumped. My other ride, Bling Bling, was always chancey, but it was great to be a part of the Derby again.
A special mention is deserved for the Hickstead team — headed by the Bunn family. The front of house was superbly manicured and the new grandstand looked great. What Hickstead has to offer in tradition and folklore in our sport is unrivalled.
Ref: Horse & Hound; 2 July 2015
This year’s Hickstead Derby was won for a second year running by Trevor Breen (pictured). This year he piloted Loughnatousa WB to jump the sole clear round of the class which was enough to earn him victory. Trevor’s clear was in fact only the 57th faultless round in the class’ history. Meanwhile Loughnatousa WB is the only horse to win the the Derby twice with different riders, having previously won the class in 2012 with Paul Beecher. Trevor’s 2014 winner Adventure De Kannan picked up eight faults this time around to finish in seventh place.