HICKSTEAD DERBY - DISCUSS!

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saskia295

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Well, wasn't it exciting yesterday?! I was lucky enough to go for the first time and I have to say I was on the edge of my seat - fantastic
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Did anyone else go? Who did you think should have done better? Any 'unlucky' people/horses?

And, as a side topic, how much did you buy?!!!!
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Inexperienced caused will wittaker to miss out on the jump off.
He'll be there another year tho

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Couldn't agree with you more. He knew he screwed up and he'll sure as hell never be making that mistake again. Such a shame for the horse.
 
Yes, but he's a very sophisticated classy rider for his age. I thought nearly everyone rode brilliantly. A few messed up the water though, but can't remember who. Thought Will and Geoff were excellent with regard to entertainment and ability.
 
William Whitaker was a joy to watch, lovely quiet rider & gets the best out of his horses. Iit was such a pity he raced at the last, but he'll be back.
Ellen Whitaker was awful, she is so rough on her horses mouth, they'll have mouths like concrete. It isn't just riding the Derby course either, she yanks & snatches all the time.
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One of the ones that really fluffed the water (land in the middle of it cross country style) had a big fat sheepskin noseband on and I wondered if it just couldn't see down properly... it knocked up quite a cricket score having poles down as well.
Why do they use those big nosebands?
 
Ellen has small moments of brilliance but I thought she was quite reckless in the speed derby, particularly over the banks. I thought the chestnut she rode in the Derby looked quite difficult and wasn't very straight or supple.

I think the nosebands are to encourage the horse to look down rather than sticking its head in the air.
 
Yeah, agree about William Whittaker. A very expensive mistake but i felt really bad for him as i thought he rode beautifully and really deserved a place in the jump off. But like everyone else has said, he's deffinately one for the future.
 
I wanted Geoff to win (love that little horse) but fair dos to Wiliam - although his horse just seems to throw it's legs everywhere coming to a fence i found it mesmerising!
 
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fair dos to Wiliam - although his horse just seems to throw it's legs everywhere coming to a fence i found it mesmerising!

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Which horse? He had 2 in the Derby!
 
I agree, thought Ellen rode recklessly and badly.

Do not get to see much SJ on TV but I was shocked. After the faults she should have backed off the horse and allowed it to get some confidence back but she just kept attacking when she has no chance of a place.
 
[ QUOTE ]
One of the ones that really fluffed the water (land in the middle of it cross country style) had a big fat sheepskin noseband on and I wondered if it just couldn't see down properly... it knocked up quite a cricket score having poles down as well.
Why do they use those big nosebands?

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The horse was Loughnatousa Raven ridden by John Crippen. In fairness to John there was another stride to the water. I think the horse mis understood coz he was not expecting it to take off from there!! With regards to the poles down he and the horse have never jumped it before and the horse has only jumped a couple of 1.45 tracks this year and that was 1.60!! He started off jumping well but I think the horse got tired towards the end.

And I agree with every1 about Ellen, I thought her round in the speed derby was worse than the derby!
 
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