Simpson on scorching form at Young Horse Championships

Louise Simpson made a triumphant return to the arena at Hickstead, with a sweep of wins at the Al Shira’aa British Young Horse Championships (14-17 August).

After nearly a year away from competition, Louise has returned on dominant form, winning both the 1.30m Open on Friday and the 1.30m Grand Prix on Saturday, both with the 12-year-old gelding Z7 Regal Don.

The Sussex-based rider then followed up with victory in today’s Billy Stud Auction British 4 Year Old Championship with the mare Bye Felicia 19.

The talented youngster, who is by the 2023 Al Shira’aa Derby winner Pjotr Van De Kruishoeve, produced a beautiful clear before gaining an impressive 35 marks out of 40 from expert judges Robert Lemieux and Alex Hempleman.

Louise had two four-year-old siblings qualified for today’s final, who were both born by embryo transfer from a former competition mare that Louise rode called Fiona. “Both four-year-olds were homebreds, and they were both out of a mare that I love that I had for years, and by the stallion that David won the Derby on,” said Louise. “They’ve both been so easy from the start, I think they’re quite talented, and it’s more special when you’ve bred them yourself.”

The Billy Stud Auction British 4 Year Old Championship has a unique judging format, where the horses first have to jump a clear round and then these go through to a second round, where they are judged for their jumping technique, natural ability, future potential, and rideability.

Judge Alex Hempleman praised the standard of today’s four-year-old finalists. “I thought the quality was really good today, with a nice mix of British horses and foreign-bred horses, showing that British breeding is really coming to the forefront.”

Asked why he and fellow judge Robert Lemieux had chosen Bye Felicia 19 as their winner, Alex said: “She cantered round with a fantastic attitude, her rhythm and jump didn’t change, and you could easily see her going on to jump big tracks in the main ring here at Hickstead.”  

In second place was Carron Nichol’s stallion Rhapsody I, by the stallion Kardesh.

Michael Morrin and Lottie Tutt, owners of Billy Frisel, were the winners of the £5,000 bonus for the highest placed four-year-old horse bought at a Billy Stud Auction.

For full results click here.