Second win for Guy Williams at Hickstead

Guy Williams has won his second class in as many days at Hickstead, taking the Bunn Leisure Master’s Challenge with Casper de Muze.

Massive gates

It’s not called a challenge for nothing and the competition, which consisted of a speed class followed by four massive gates, proved too big a task for many of the world’s best at Hickstead.

Guy Williams, who was sixth to go riding Casper de Muze, gave the rest of the field a masterclass in speed, and then control and accuracy, jumping clear in a time of 43.26sec. And it proved a standard impossible to beat.

“I was pretty quick over the jumps but if you go too fast, you’re going to have the gates,” said Guy. “This class is all about the gates – so many had them down.

“I set out my stall to be quick enough, but make sure I was clear over the gates. And Casper is great over the gates so I knew I was in with a chance.”

Felt the pressure

The other competitors certainly felt the pressure of Guy’s round, and time and time again the gates fell.

Carron Nicol riding her own stallion Mr Visto – a horse she has produced herself – provided another early clear in the competition, but was way behind on time in 48.78sec.

It wasn’t until the end of the competition that a handful of riders managed to leave all four gates up, but none could match Guy’s fast time.

Took a tumble

Harriet Nuttall came close to knocking Guy off the top spot – she cleared the gates, but had one down over the first section for an extra three seconds. It was still fast enough to put her in second place.

This moved Carron down to third, ahead of David Simpson and Baby David who were clear in 48.85sec. Phillip Miller also jumped a great round with Unbelievable Lady to come fifth, while DavidMcPherson, who took a tumble in the Derby Trial, was sixth riding Confidence.