News

Trevor Breen wins the All England Grand Prix

Sep 12, 2012

A huge class of 52 riders came forward for the £6,000 All England Grand Prix at Hicksteadon Sunday (9 September), and the very last rider to jump – Ireland's Trevor Breen – walked away with the top prize.

Twelve riders made it through to the jump-off, with the times getting quicker as the class progressed. A fast clear by Paul Crago and About Time V put the pressure on the remaining riders, but his time was soon bettered by Keith Doyle and Walk Tall II, winners of the Templant Events Queen Elizabeth II Cup earlier this summer. But Keith wasn't the only rider in the class to have already secured a big win at Hickstead this season, and Trevor Breen – winner of both the Bunn Leisure Speed Derby and the Amlin Plus Eventing Grand Prix with Adventure De Kannan – made it a hat-trick with a superb clear to win the All England Grand Prix by 2 secs.

Adventure De Kannan really seems to relish jumping in the International Arena. "He loves that ring, and he's had an amazing season here at Hickstead," Trevor added. "He has also won four Grands Prix this year – he's a horse that always pays the bills."

One of the biggest classes of the week was Friday's 1.40m Open, with a total of 71 starters. Among these were a number of Carpetright Derby horses, including Adventure De Kannan (Trevor Breen), Richi Rich III (Guy Williams) and Loughnatousa WB. But none could better the time set by Sian Price and Step In Time III, and they took home the top prize.

Louise Pavitt, who has a brilliant record at the All England Jumping Course, won the 6 & 7 Year Old Championship on Sussex Caretino. Kent-based Jane Annett has also enjoyed plenty of success at Hickstead over the years, and at this show she won the Five Year Old Championship on Paddy Masterclass, keeping Daniel Moseley and Billy Halla in second.

Jessie Drea and Baloufina had a brilliant win in the 1.40m Open on Saturday, marking a successful return to the ring for Jessie following a broken shoulder that has ruled her out for almost a year.

This was the second running of the All England Jumping Championships, which were devised in 2011 following the £500,000 redevelopment of the International Arena. The Championships were designed to give national and amateur riders the opportunity to compete in the International Arena, and to support the breeding industry with a number of prestigious young horse finals.

Source: Victoria Spicer, Press Officer for the All England Jumping Course at Hickstead