Having finished seventh in his debut in the Hickstead Derby in 2015, Alfie Bradstock knows what it takes to jump our famous fixed obstacles - and he proved that again when winning Saturday's Douglas Bunn 1.35m Memorial Challenge.
A total of 43 combinations came forward for today's feature class, which includes a number of the Al Shira'aa Derby fences set at a lower height. Former Junior European eventing gold medallist-turned-showjumper Alfie had three horses entered, and as well as winning with Eebay he also took fifth place with H D Or.
Eebay is owned by Helen West, who runs Bicton Arena, and the 11-year-old gelding previously competed up to Advanced level with Helen before Alfie took over the ride in May.
"He's qualified for the Talent Seekers at HOYS and he jumped his first Area Trial at Edenbridge and Oxted where he came third," said Alfie.
The third of his rides, Ferdi I, is quite young and Alfie explained that the class was more of a trial run for him, but for his two other rides he very much has the Al Shira'aa Derby in mind.
"The other two I'm definitely considering bringing them back in June," he said. "It's useful to go up and down the bank, jump through the Dyke, and the double of water ditches, to see if they're anywhere near ready for the Derby!"
Three other championships took place in the International Arena on Saturday. Barry Drea, whose daughter Maisie has ridden on the British showjumping team on a number of occasions, won the first of these - the All England 1.20m Amateur Championship, riding Okehurst Miss Mexico.
Event rider Sophie Ashton-Rickardt took the Harcour Hickstead All England 1.10m Amateur Championship with Masterfly, giving Sophie her first win in the International Arena.
The final class was the Spidge Photography 1m Open Championship, sponsored by our official event photographers. This class attracted huge entries, with 158 competitors in the first qualifier and 221 in the second. Today's final saw 31 combinations come forward, with the win going to Nick Edwards and Its Showbusiness.