A Grand National-winning jockey, Olympic eventers and a Speed Derby champion will be lining up in this afternoon’s (Thursday 19 July) Eventing Grand Prix at Hickstead.
Robbie Power, who won the 2007 Grand National on Silver Birch, is taking part in the event for the first time.
Before switching to racing he used to be a professional showjumper and was a former young rider European gold medallist.
Robbie will be borrowing Doonaveeragh O One from his sister, event rider Elizabeth, for the class.
“The horse I’ll be competing on is an ex-eventer of hers – last year she competed him in this class and I thought this year I’d have a go,” said Robbie. “I hope I’ll do well – he’s had plenty of experience. I’ve always wanted to have a go at it, it looks a lot of fun.
“I’ve been competing in Ireland on days when we haven’t had any racing, to get my eye in, and I’d like to think that I’ll do racing proud.”
And he’ll be up against New Zealand Olympic eventer Andrew Nicholson, Ireland’s Mark Kyle and Rolex Grand Slam winner Pippa Funnell. Trevor Breen and Speed Derby winner Adventure De Kannan will also be competing.
In the eventing grand prix riders must tackle a course of showjumps before embarking on a series of cross-country fences in the grounds of Hickstead. They then turn back into the arena to contend with some of Hickstead’s most famous fences including the Derby bank (from side to side).
The Amlin Plus Evening Grand Prix will start at 3pm with TV coverage starting an hour earlier on Sky Sports 2.
