One-two for Phillip Miller at Hickstead

Phillip Miller has finished first and second in the Grand Prix at Hickstead’s All England Jumping Championships.

Steady clear

There were just seven clears out of 61 starters – and only two double clears, courtesy of Philip riding Caritiar Z and Unbelievable Lady.

Jude Burgess (Severly Hille), Tim Stockdale (Erasmus VD Heffinck) and Max Routledge (Carus Royale) all faulted in the jump-off, so Phillip knew a steady clear could win him the class.

The Hertfordshire-based rider did just that with his 2013 Derby winner, producing a clear round in a solid time of 45.53sec.

Tim Stockdale’s second ride Bling Bling IV was slightly quicker but he picked up four faults, keeping Phillip at the top of leaderboard.

Steady

Second last to go, Clark Glasgow, also had one fence down riding Fleur De L’Aube which meant Phillip knew what ever happened with his second ride he had won the class.

He produced another steady clear with Unbelievable Lady to net a one-two. Max Routledge was third with the fastest four faults.

“Carter is sharp, while Unbelievable Lady is really laid back,” said Phillip. “It’s a long way round this big arena, but Carter is very fit. The going is amazing, and I love the atmosphere.”

Olympic eventer

The day before the Douglas Bunn 1.35m Challenge saw an Olympic eventer take the title.

Sharon Hunt, who won a team bronze medal in Beijing 2008, won the class riding HSB Harriet, a seven-year-old grey mare she originally bought as an eventer. She had a few top 10 placings at Novice level, but Sharon is now showjumping her instead.

“She won two 1.20m Finals at Millstreet in Ireland, so I decided to stick to showjumping as she was winning more prizemoney doing that!” said Sharon.

“She’s still green but this year she’s been unreal. She’s the nicest, kindest, consistent, most genuine mare, and for me to be able to learn to jump the bigger tracks is great for my experience.”

Fixed fences

The class was ideal for Sharon as it features many of Hickstead’s fixed fences, including the Devil’s Dyke, Road Crossing and the less steep side of the bank.

Sharon and Harriet were one of only three combinations to jump clear out a class of 35.

Hickstead regular Harriet Nuttall also went clear with Silver Lift, but the usually speedy grey was more than 1.5sec behind Sharon, which put her in second place – a familiar tale for the 25-year-old at the All England Showground. John Crippen and Loughnatousa Diego were third.