Double victory for Andrew Williams during the first day at Hickstead

Horse & Hound's coverage of The Equestrian.com Hickstead Derby Meeting (24-28 June) is brought to you in association with Equestrian.com

Andrew Williams successfully opened his Equestrian.com Hickstead Derby meeting campaign with two wins on the opening day (Wednesday 24 June).

It was a worthwhile seven-hour drive for Cornwall-based Andrew — he scooped Wednesday’s first national class, the Horse & Hound senior Foxhunter first round with Nancy Phillips’ 10-year-old grey Bodieve Toyboy.

“I have been riding him for four years and mostly in working hunter classes — he’s been to Horse of the Year Show for the past three years,” said Andrew. “He’s quite athletic for a worker. He’s quick on his toes and has a lovely attitude.”

Helen Wilson and the Alice Kent-owned diminuitive dun, Glendun — who also affiliates in British Eventing with Helen — took the runner-up spot. Scottish rider Douglas Duffin slotted into third riding Nicholas Morgan’s Djoel.

Andrew did not have to wait long to be back in the prize-giving — he triumphed in the following class, the Spillers Grade C Championship, riding his own eight-year-old gelding Codar — a horse he initially had in to produce and sell before deciding to part-buy him. He fended off Alex Gill and Cassa Z into second — Olympic eventing team bronze medallist Sharon Hunt settled for third, riding her own HSB Harriet.

Continuing his on-form day, Andrew also finished fourth in the Camardo Coffee 1.35m open class aboard Joanna Sampson’s Alie B. The class was won by Joss Williams and his 15-year-old chestnut mare, Culmore Prospect. Jay Halim took second with Abrisco and Timothy Page and Duc D Arsouilles were third.

The Beethoven seven- and eight-year-old first qualifier attracted a competitive line-up. However, it was 23-year-old Norwegian rider Victoria Gulliksen — recent joint puissance victor at Bolesworth International — who came out on top. Daughter of international showjumper, Geir, she piloted the locally-bred Billy Blue Bell to victory. Sussex-based Nicole Pavitt took both second and third riding Tia Semilly and Bellissima Z II.

The international action at the Equestrian.com Hickstead Derby meeting kicks off today (Thursday 25 June). The highlight is the €12,000 (£8,500) Bunn Leisure Derby Tankard commencing at 3.45pm in the international arena — the class gives a great insight into which riders are on-form ahead of Sunday’s Equestrian.com Derby.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now