Ellen wins the Speed Derby at Hickstead
Friday 25 June 2010
Ellen Whitaker claimed her second Bunn Leisure Speed Derby at Hickstead today in conditions totally different to her first win.
"Last time it was knee deep in mud" she said "but today the conditions were perfect". She was helped by Henri De Here, who had been around the course "five or six times before".
The story for runner-up Damien Griffin is totally different. His ride, Lysseygan Clover Diamond is his only horse, bought as a three year-old and now fifteen. The pair have won 22 Puissance competitions, eight of them bareback!
Michael Whitaker riding GIG Amai shared first place in the Falcon Equine Feeds Derby Trophy with Belgian Guido Hornesch and Concorde. "I couldn't work it out as I finished - I was seeing the same time on the board and thought I was seeing double".
It was Guido's first visit to Hickstead - "for me the most beautiful show of the year". Asked at the press conference afterwards how his horse came to be called Concorde he was interrupted by Michael "Because she flies" he said!
Tomorrow see's the DFS Derby with the parade of riders taking place at 3pm. For more information on schedules and ticket purchase please visit www.hickstead.co.uk
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