Rider 'pops down for one class' to seal winning double

Ex-eventers win the same championship for the second year in a row and a sales livery proves an ideal candidate for success

- SARAH RADFORD

IT was déjà vu in the 1.40m championship when exeventers Paul Sims and Dream Roller took the sash for the second consecutive year. Paul had just brought the one horse for the one class and repeated his 2022 feat when he topped the line-up again.

On this occasion, there were just two clears from six jump-off contenders, with Paul winning by 17.71sec over Abbie Bevan and Klaudius.

“He didn’t go to Bolesworth and it’s close to home, so I just thought, ‘Why not pop down for the one class’ and we ended up taking home quite a lot of money,” said Paul, who banked £1,000 for the win.

“I was first to go with Mennell [Watson, with Whisper In The Wind, 1.30m championship winners] behind me, so I thought I’d have to set the standard but Mennell ended up having a fence.”

Last year, Paul transitioned fully from eventing to showjumping, and 12-year-old Dream Roller – who evented to two-star as a seven-year-old – has continued to fly the flag as his top ride. This year, they were ninth in their first attempt at the Hickstead Derby, while “Roly” was also loaned to Joe Whitaker, who took him to Abu Dhabi for eight weeks at the beginning of this year.

“He was placed in some rankings classes with Joe and he’s been on great form – he’s ticking along and feeling well,” Paul said. “He’s still my favourite and the best horse to have – you can take him on his own and travel anywhere across the country and know he’ll pull something out of the bag.”

Ryan Page jumped the quickest of three double clears to head the Scope Blue Riband 1.20m championship with BP Kojax, a horse that has only recently returned from a year in the field.