Hickstead News
Trevor Breen claims second All England Grand Prix title at Hickstead
Ireland’s Trevor Breen claimed Sunday’s All England Grand Prix at Hickstead, the feature class of the four-day national show.
Riding his wife Caroline’s mare Bombay II, Trevor set a blistering pace in the 1.40m jump-off and finish on a time of 48.91sec, nearly 3sec ahead of his nearest rival.
“My plan was to go as fast as I possibly could to make sure I wasn’t beaten on time,” said Trevor, who had a nervous wait with several riders still to follow him against the clock.
The former Hickstead Derby winner showed steely nerves as he galloped down to the final fence, the Hickstead planks. “I got a real flier to the last. A few times recently I have had really fast rounds on her and I have steadied up to be careful to the last and she has had it down. I think she is better to just keep going at that rhythm, so I trusted her and she did it, so I am delighted,” he added
As part of his prize, Trevor gets a six-month loan of an Avant loader – which will come in useful, as he’s just set up a new yard a stone’s throw from the showground.
“I am absolutely on a high about the prize, I would really like to thank Avant for their sponsorship of the class. I have been looking at their machines for about two years now at shows, but couldn’t afford one. I said to myself coming in here that I am going to win the prize today, and thankfully I did!”
It was the second time Trevor has claimed the All England Grand Prix, as he also won the second renewal of the class back in 2012 with the superb Adventure De Kannan, who retired this summer just before the Al Shira’aa Derby.
In second place in the Grand Prix, with a time of 51.88sec, was Ben Walker and Roulette H.
Mark Edwards started the All England Jumping Championships with a treble of wins on day one of the show, and ended it with a double on the final day.
The Vale of Glamorgan-based rider claimed the All England Novice Championship with Eternal Evoloution, and the All England 1.20m Open Championship with Harley H.
It was his first time competing in the International Arena, so it was a winning debut.
“I went into the jump off with a few tight turns in mind as I know she is so careful,” said Mark on his Novice winner. “She is such a sweet mare and this is her third win this week.”
The show drew to a close with the All England 1.30m Open Championship, which saw Simon Crippen win by some margin on Atlanta VIII. In second was Chloe Winchester and Sportsfield Our Clare.
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.