Teenager wins international class at Hickstead

An Irish teenager has won the Stoner Jewellers Vase, in thefirst international class at the 2014 Equestrian.com Hickstead Derby Meeting (26 June).

Closely fought

It wasa closely fought jump-off with Michael Duffy only 0.67 seconds faster than runner-up Simon Crippen onboard Atlanta VIII. Shane Breen was just over a second behind him to take third place with Calido Boy.

“It’s my second time competing at Hickstead and my second win here so if we keep up this trend I’ll be happy,” said Michael, who was riding the eight-year-old gelding Torino.

The 19-year-old is from Co Galway, but moved to the UK last summer to work for Shane, who is based at Hickstead. Michael has since moved down to the road to Bolney, West Sussex.


Super careful

The biggest class of the day was won by Douglas Duffin and the nine-year-old stallion Quidam B Z. The pair beat Tina Fletcher and Hello Sailor by four seconds to win the Bunn Leisure Derby Tankard.

“His rideability is improving all the time, he’s got all the talent and he’s super careful too,” Douglas said. “I pushed him as fast as I felt he was comfortable with. It was the horse’s first time in the main ring – a lot of horses can go in there and back off and lose a little bit of scope but he didn’t.”

Favourite show

It was certainly worth the 11-hour drive from Scotland, as Douglas also won the Hickstead Novice Championship with Aslan II earlier in the day.

“Hickstead’s always been my favourite show to compete at,” he said. “I’ve won here a few times and that’s why I keep coming back.”