Derek McCoppin hits winning form for victory in the SEIB Winter Novice qualifier at Arena UK to claim his place in the Hickstead Final
Tuesday 21 November 2023
Derek McCoppin secured his first win with Concento TW to claim a place in the SEIB Winter Novice Final at the Royal International Horse Show, Hickstead, with victory at Arena UK.
Twenty riders from the original 45 starters returned for the jump-off with Derek executing the tightest lines to edge ahead by the narrow margin of 0.10 seconds with the German-bred Conthargos x Centadel 8-year-old jointly owned with David McPherson.
“He’s very inexperienced for his age, there’s not a lot of mileage under his belt but he’s learning to go faster,” said Derek. “This was his first real test against the clock and he did good, he’s quite quick across the ground and I didn’t take many pulls all the way round but we were quickest between the last three fences.”
Irishman Derek, who has been based in England for the past 14 years and now lives in Canterbury, Kent, rates Concento – “I think he’s a good one and will aim him at a few bigger things next year.”
Adam Taylor steered breeder Lily Ennis’ 6-year-old Basingwerk Imagine (Findoctro x Dick Z) into second to claim the other Hickstead qualifying pass.
“I let the handbrake off in the jump-off. He was bred as a Working Hunter but he was too feisty and too much of a showjumper to be a Working Hunter,” said Adam, who has produced the gelding from British Novice.
Arena UK Winter Classic
SEIB Winter Novice Championship qualifier – 18 November, 2023
1st Derek McCoppin & Cencento TW – 0/0 - 37.94 seconds
2nd Adam Taylor & Basingwerk Imagine – 0/0 - 38.04 seconds
3rd Zoe Smith & Keep In Mind – 0/0 - 38.73 seconds
NB: Results pending official grading.
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SEIB Insurance Brokers provides specialist equestrian insurance throughout the UK and internationally. With over 50 years of experience, SEIB offers a range of equestrian insurance from horses to horseboxes, trailers, stables, cars, home, farriers and other specialist equestrian trades plus riding schools and livery yards. The SEIB Winter Novice Championship is a popular series made up of ten national qualifying rounds which are held ahead of the Championship Final, which will once again be run during the prestigious Longines Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead (24 - 18 July 2024). For more details, visit hickstead.co.uk
