Gearing up for an electric Derby Day
THE atmosphere at Hickstead on Derby day is electric! It starts in the early morning when spectators get their chance to walk all 1,195 metres of the DFS Derby course and examine close-up the 16 obstacles that stand between each horse and rider and the legendary Boomerang Trophy and a winner's purse of £40,000
All 35 riders will already have had their chance to inspect and pace the course '“ some facing the challenge for the very first time. Others, like William Funnell looking for the easiest path to his third win, or John Whitaker, planning his campaign to become the first rider in 48 years to win the class five times.
It is one of the longest courses in showjumping and certainly one with the biggest reputation. Centrepiece is the Derby Bank. Once on top, there's a simple 3ft 5ins rail that knocks down very easily before the rider applies the brakes to negotiate the 10ft 6ins near-vertical descent, and then just two strides to jump the 5ft 3ins upright rail.
For full story see Sussex Horse World, West Sussex Gazette June 10