What’s not to love about Marmite?
Billy Stud progeny impress all round, and a Hickstead debutante wins on a British-bred mare
“HE should have won at Bolesworth too, but I cocked up there!” said William Funnell after riding Billy Marmite to victory in Saturday’s seven-year-old championship, the highlight of the Al Shira’aa-sponsored young horse finals.
This class proved a triumph for the Billy Stud, as Lucy Townley finished runner-up with the only other double clear, on Billy Pablo.
Billy Marmite, by Billy Mexico out of a Vechta mare, finished second in last year’s British sixyear-old championship for Pippa Funnell.
“Pip did a fantastic job, but I’ve pinched him now,” said William of the full-brother to Billy Dorito, a five-star performer for Ireland’s Darragh Kenny. “Although all our horses are for sale, this one could stay with me. I reckon he’ll keep me out of retirement!”
HIGH HOPES FOR BILBOA
THE Billy Stud had already hit the headlines the previous day when 19-year-old Lottie Tutt rode superbly to take the five-year-old title on Nick Skelton’s Billy Bilboa.
Nick bought Billy Bilboa, by Plot Blue out of a Cevin Z mare, from the 2019 Billy Stud auction, and she stayed at the stud to be produced.
“She was only four and quite green. We were off to international shows, so it made sense to leave her with William,” he said. “They’ve done a great job and Lottie rode her very well.” Nick has high hopes for Bilboa. “She was the best horse in the sale and is now so easy and rideable. She should make a grand prix horse,” he added.
Lottie has been at Billy Stud for 15 months now.
“It’s a fantastic place to work; I’ve learned so much,” she said.
And how was the pressure of riding for an Olympic champion?
“Nick made it easy. He was so nice and helpful and gave me advice before the jump-off,” said Lottie.
FIRST-TIMER FLOURISHES
HICKSTEAD first-timer Jessica Burke made everything look simple when winning the sixyear-old final with another British-bred mare, Ashdale Divine (Luidam x Lux Z).
Irish rider Jessica had finished second to Lottie in the five-yearold final, but made no mistake this time. Although she is a former Dublin young horse champion and rode in five-star classes there, Jessica worked part-time as a secondary school maths teacher while producing horses from her home in Galway.
“A year ago, I had the chance to move to Arion Stud in Hampshire and become a professional rider,” she said. “I haven’t been to many British shows yet because of lockdown and this is my first time at Hickstead, but I’m loving it.
The best thing is winning on a British-bred horse.”
Many four-year-old finalists found the arena a little aweinspiring, but six good ones shared first place. These included two ridden for the sponsor by Jason Fitzpatrick, and a recent buy from the Billy Stud auction by Hickstead director Lizzie Bunn.
“She was the best horse in the sale”
NICK SKELTON ON BILBOA
HOLLY SMITH and Shane Breen were on top form in the 1.40m classes earlier in the show.
Shane Breen’s winning round on Can Ya Makan in Friday’s speed class was a joy. Without looking hurried, the home-based Irishman breezed round to win from another Breen Equestrian rider, Jack Ryan, on Granada S.
While other horses struggled to take a stride out to the influential final oxer, Can Ya Makan, a winner at Drammen Nations Cup show recently, found it simple.
“He has such a huge stride that I have to be careful not to overdo things and turn him too tight. Everything felt easy today,” said Shane.
In Thursday’s two-phase, Guy Williams was leading on Mr Blue Sky UK, but in came Holly on the stallion Fruselli and met every fence on a perfect stride to win for the second successive year.
This was a poignant victory for Holly, as Fruselli belongs to Sue and Gordon Hall, who also owned her sadly missed championship team ride Hearts Destiny.
“Fruselli loves Hickstead.
He’s just a great, honest, genuine horse and I’m lucky to have him,” said Holly. “It’s also so nice to have a good win for Sue and Gordon.”
VETERANS ON FORM
SAMMIE-JO COFFIN and the 17-year-old Willem De Lux set an unbeatable standard from second draw in the Douglas
Bunn challenge, a speed class that includes many iconic Derby obstacles.
Gemma Tattersall was Sammie’s closest rival with another super veteran, 16-year-old Chico Bella P, while Sammie-Jo also took third on Bellamy.
Despite living seven hours away in Cornwall, Sammie-Jo is a great supporter of Hickstead and the Derby was this year’s target for
Willem De Lux.
“Our plans were halted due to lockdown, which was really frustrating. He’s done next to nothing this season, so hopefully we can come back next year,” said Sammie-Jo, who was also delighted with Bellamy’s round on her first time over
Derby fences.
Sammie-Jo added another victory in Sunday’s 1.20m championship on Mark Penhaligon’s eight-year-old gelding Habraxis.
Habraxis stands nearly 18hh, but showed incredible agility.
“He’s so big that he’s still weak,
“Fruselli loves Hickstead; he’s so genuine”
HOLLY SMITH
but he has an enormous jump,” said Sammie-Jo.
The Derby classes held in ring four proved popular. Sylvie Plaskow triumphed over a 91-strong entry in the 1m speed Derby on the nine-year-old Clinton stallion .
The 1.10m amateur version went to a great round from American rider Melissa Margolis on Unex Arantos. Melissa is married to leading racehorse owner Sheikh Fahad Al-Thani and this was her first British show.
The in-form Sally Goding and Corbeagh Luxor headed the 1.30m classic, while the 1.20m win went to Emily Llewellyn with nine-year-old Trooper B.
Jay Halim’s head girl
Lauren Turnbull wasn’t about to let the boss have all the headlines and won the 1.10m equivalent on nine-year-old
Bilbao Du Banney.