Happy days as Bennys Kelly secures first Grand Prix win

John Crippen and Bennys Kelly saw off some of Britain and Ireland’s leading talents to win the ClipMyHorse.TV Sussex Cup, the feature 1.40m class of week one of the All England September Tour at Hickstead.

Nine of the 35 finalists jumped clear in the jump-off, with John setting the target at the halfway stage in a time of 44.57sec. The time was 2sec quicker than eventual runner-up Phillip Miller and Don Royale, but it was still enough to put the pressure on some of Crippen’s rivals, with Shane Breen on both BE Golden and Cato Boy, Claudia Moore (Half Of My Heart) and Lucy Townley (Billy Be Boss) all going quicker but having a fence down apiece.

“He’s only an eight-year-old and this is his first winning Grand Prix,” said John afterwards. “I said I’d be happy with a top six finish before I jumped him, but he’s naturally very quick so I just let him go at his own pace and came out the ring in the lead and thought if I stayed there then happy days, but I’ve done as much as I’d wanted to.”

It wasn’t the first International Arena victory for the pair, who won the inaugural Doney Championship at the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting in 2022. “He loves that ring,” added John.

Shane Breen repeated the feat of having two through to the jump-off in the Hickstead 1.30m Open Championship, and he came very close to winning with second ride Jicarla T, only to finish 0.59sec in arrears behind Ronnie Lee Jones and Key West III. 

Saturday’s Seven Year Old Star of the Future Final saw the top spot go to Lottie Tutt and the Billy Stud’s Billy Pronto. The pair finished nearly 2sec quicker than runners-up Liam Hayes and Super Gold Van De Fruitkorf Z.

“I’m really happy with him, he’s been really consistent all year, especially in the last few months,” said Lottie. “He was third here last month at the British Young Horse Championships, and second last week in the 7yos at Coombelands, so he was due a win!”

Lottie Adams and Khaleesi OL were in great form to take the win in the Stoner Jewellers 1.20m Open Championship, which was the eight-year-old mare’s first time competing on grass, while Charlotte Foreman and Orville Van De Watermolen took the Hickstead Novice Championship.

For full results, click here.