New ride seals the deal for Sandy McLean

Scotland’s Sandy McLean lifted the coveted Big Star Trophy today at Hickstead, after winning the Prestige Italia British 6 Year Old Championship at the Al Shira'aa British Young Horse Championships.

Thirteen of the 55 starters managed to produce a first round clear to guarantee a jump-off – but none could better the time of 22-year-old Sandy and Miss Contoulonia PS, who scorched round in 34.79sec, to go ahead of Thomas Pritchard and Ovorito (35.37sec).

“There were a lot of horses in the jump-off, so it was always going to be fast,” said Sandy. “I watched Tom’s round and I knew he was fast, as his horse has a big stride. Mine has got a smaller stride, but she’s quicker across the ground, I'd say. So I knew if I let her just keep running at the fences, that she would be there or thereabouts, and today was a good result.”

The Big Star Trophy is given in honour of Nick Skelton’s incredible Rio 2016 gold medal winning stallion, and it was fitting that McLean won today as he names Nick as a big inspiration. “I always said Scott Brash and John Whitaker were my main inspirations, but after watching the Nick Skelton documentary, it was amazing to see how much drive someone could have for so many years, to achieve their goals and not give up,” he said. “People aim all year round to try to win this Championship, so it's an honour to be able to go in there and win it, and especially on a new horse for me.”

He has had the ride on Miss Contoulonia PS for just six weeks. “This is maybe our fourth show together, but she's an unbelievable mare when she likes you, she's a real fighter for you in the ring,” he said. The six-year-old by Messenger is quite a quirky character though. “She likes going hacking, but apart from that she likes being alone, and she doesn't like to be told what to do, but when she gets in the ring, she's so careful that you just have to let her do her own thing, and she always delivers.”

Rising star Sandy has been on excellent form at this show, having already secured a win in Saturday’s Trojan Track 1.40m Open with Kolwa. It was also a great week for the TW Stables team of riders, with McLean’s win in the Six Year Old final coming hot on the heels of team mate Pippa Goddard (Seven Year Old final joint winner) and fellow TW Stables rider William Rekert, who won today’s Five Year Old Championship. “I’m delighted, the team has had an amazing week and to win the six-year-olds is fantastic, to round off a brilliant week for us three riders,” said Sandy.

Runner-up Thomas Pritchard claimed the £1,000 Big Star Bonus with Orovito, while the clear round British Showjumping bonus was shared by Adam Morgan (Othello) and Richard Howley (Emoraldi Terma Z).

William Rekert’s win in the Al Shira’aa British 5 Year Old Championship came courtesy of Corinio Z (Columbus Z), who is owned by Kyle Williams.

“This class has been our aim for a few months, so I can’t believe it,” said William. “He’s a little horse but he’s got a really big stride, and he’s careful so I can trust him to just gallop to his fences.”

Corinio Z is a former eventer, and William got offered the ride on him  because the gelding was a bit too careful for the cross-country phase. “He only did his first show with me a few months ago, and he’s come on so much in that time,” added William.

Rekert also shared the British Showjumping bonus for jumping double clear with Megan James (Chappido) and Ben Walker (Miami III), while Ben was also the highest placed British-bred finalist with La Sansa.

The show drew to a close with a highly competitive TrojanTrack 1.40m Grand Prix, which saw a huge 64 combinations come forward. Fifteen came forward for the jump-off, which ended in the tightest of finishes when Nicole Pavitt (Casque D’Or) crossing the finish in a time of 34.73sec, one hundredth of a second faster than Robert Whitaker and Strike A Pose. 

"He prefers going fast," said Nicole about Amber Bundock's nine-year-old stallion. "Because he's little, people don't realise how big a stride he has. He is my favourite - he's cheeky, but he's the golden child. He's a happy-go-lucky sort who always wants to please."

For full results click here.