Guy Williams Skips to Success in the DFS Hickstead Derby

 

Guy Williams from Kent with the plucky chestnut Softrack Skip Two Ramiro beat his British rival Tina Fletcher on the impressive bay Promised Land in a two horse jump off that saw both horses go clear for the second time in the competition. 

 

 

With most of the crowds on their feet to ensure as much of the arena could be seen from their vantage point, it was Tina who was first to go over the shortened course which contained 13 testing jumping efforts including a second run through the Devil’s Dyke.   Producing another clear having opted to not push against the clock but go for a foot-perfect round, Tina hoped that she had done enough to force Guy against the clock and in turn make a mistake that could result in a pole rolling.

 

Guy Williams and Skippy (Skip Two Ramiro) are well known as one of the fastest horse/rider combinations on the national circuit – and they didn’t disappoint. Setting off at a pace that made it evident he meant business from the start he romped home clear by almost 16 seconds to secure the £40,000 first prize.

 

Throwing his arms up in elation as he landed after the clear over the last, Guy’s emotions were still running high when he commented later “It feels really emotional if I’m honest. I’ve been coming to Hickstead since I was a kid competing in the back rings – it’s been such a big part of my career. 

 

I’ve been aiming Skippy for the Derby having come joint runner up last year and even built a Devil’s Dyke at home as it’s the fence that’s caused me problems in the past.   I watched Tina go and knew she’d left me a bit of breathing space in terms of time, felt confident that my horse could jump clear so decided to just go for it. I can’t tell you how great it feels for it all to have paid off”.