ASHLEY BOYCE – TRAINED ON THE DOWNS, PLACED IN THE INTERNATIONAL DERBY AT HICKSTEAD.
First held in 1961, the Hickstead Derby is one of the most historic and popular classes in the showjumping annula calender and no more so than last week which celebrated its 60th anniversary and saw local lass Ashley Boyce celebrated in style having been placed 10th in this elite competition.
The seats were packed this year to witness the thrills and spills as the competitors tackled the fearsome course which includes the famous 10ft 6in slope of the Derby Bank, the notoriously difficult Devil’s Dyke combination, and one of the widest water jumps in the world.
Many of showjumping’s biggest names have their name listed in the Hickstead Derby roll of honour. There was Eddie Macken’s famous four-timer with the great Boomerang; the diminutive Stroller winning with 20-year-old Marian Coakes; the one-eyed wonder horse Adventure De Kannan finally giving Trevor Breen his longed-for first Derby win and Ashley and Horse Lulu can now add this to their achievements – not bad for a duo that this time last year were in Newcomers classes.
To follow and support Ashley in her continued success (which today saw her coming first in the four year old Championship with Baby Blue) please follow AB Equestrian – facebook @ABEQUESTRIAN and insta @abequestrian20