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.
This story is from the August 31, 2023 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 31, 2023 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Gemirande provides 24-carat magic
Venetia Williams sparkles again in the December Gold Cup and jockey brothers dead-heat
‘Happy hunting, everyone'
“The season for talks, dinners and parties has finally arrived for Tessa Waugh, whose distress about the snags of middle age fades away with some rousing festive spirits
'Monaco deserved this victory
Seemingly destined always to play the bridesmaid’s role, Harrie Smolders’ great partner Monaco finally tops an incidentpacked Rolex grand prix
'It had to end sometime'
The closure of beloved Hampshire saddlery Calcutt Sons is a loss to the hunting and wider equestrian worlds, as Octavia Pollock reports
'You couldn't want for more
The Ludlow's peaceful country makes for a day in \"hunting paradise\"
The greatest gift of all
Christmas is fast approaching and while we all like a bit of tinsel, the festive season is also a perfect time for giving to a horse charity. Niki Hinman finds out some of the options
Winter him well
A horse's winter routine can differ dramatically from his summer structure but what’s the knock-on effect? Ellie Hughes asks vets how to optimise routine management for the season
Neat feet
Excellent hoof care is a year-round concern but the winter months present their own problems. Richard Stephenson MRCVS explains the seasonal challenges afoot and how to stay one step ahead
In bygone days
Modern vets have much scientific knowledge behind them, but what about their forebears? Kieran O’Brien MRCVS opens up the world of Victorian vets in London
'When I joined the Pony Club it was just two boys and 48 girls'
Pepsi Kohler on being delightfully outnumbered by girls in the Pony Club, a leg-up from a royal and the H&H advert that changed his life
