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.
Denne historien er fra August 31, 2023-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra August 31, 2023-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'
Fresh from the opening meet, Tessa Waugh hasn't quite yet been bitten by the hunting bug. Without the crisp autumnal air and cheek-pinching cold she hoped for, it's a sluggish start
New pair pull off a win
A former European Championships pony is on form with his new rider, while elsewhere former showjumpers and eventers take ribbons
Lording it over the rest
Horses who have returned from injury, a second generation homebred and a long format specialist score on the final weekend of the British season
Smith hits flying form
A \"her way or no way\" mare helps Zoe Smith to an impressive ribbon haul and a rider beats his own boss to the top spot
Jankorado hits the jackpot
Paul Sims is triumphant despite his interrupted jump-off preparation and a borrowed horse comes up trumps
Peanut
From \"dangerous, scary\" to hedge-hopping brilliance, hunting has been the making of this unstable but very lovable equine character
She's a corker
Communication, says long-standing and highly respected Belvoir master Lady Sarah McCorquodale, is the key to all, as Catherine Austen discovers
Access all areas Cavalier Centre
The Cavalier Centre is a fully accessible, state-of-the-art equestrian centre designed to improve lives through horse-based activities. Ellie May Forrester pays a visit
'Use it or lose it'
Not everyone wants to reach for the pipe and slippers at a certain age. Becky Murray speaks to some veteran horse-and-rider combos for their secrets of human and equine longevity
A new way forward
Worm control in horses is vital, but established methods will not remain effective for much longer. Tim Mair FRCVS explains why and how we need to change
