Jessica is the Queen of the speedy ladies

Ireland’s Jessica Burke and Express Trend headed an all-female jump-off in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup, which took place on Ladies’ Day at Hickstead.

This historic trophy used to be an international class open to lady riders only, until a rule change in 2008 saw it change to a national title open to both men and women. Since then, men have dominated, winning 11 of the past 14 renewals.

But in today’s class, lady riders were the only ones to deliver clear first rounds, with five of the 28 starters going through to a jump-off. First to go was Sally Goding and the consistent Spring Willow, who set the pace with a clear in 40.51sec. Three poles fell for Gemma Ellison (Helsinki VDL), before the 2009 winner Laura Renwick and Iron Lady Van De Kranenburg shaved nearly 2sec off Sally’s time to take the lead.

With an unlucky fence down for Allana Clutterbuck (Vykinbay), it paved the way for Jessica Burke, who shaved 0.83sec off Laura’s time to land the Queen Elizabeth II Cup for the first time.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet to be honest!” said a delighted Jessica. “When you look back on all the days I spent at home watching Hickstead on the TV, you grow up dreaming of things like this, so to put my name on the trophy is very special.”

Former maths teacher Jessica moved over to the UK from her native Galway five years ago to ride for the Arion Stud in Hampshire. She immediately made an impact in the sport, winning her first international Grand Prix soon after making the move to the UK.  

With Liam Nicholas’ 14-year-old Irish Sports Horse Express Trend, Jessica has gone on to have five-star success and represented Ireland on Nations Cup teams. The pair were also the winners of the LeMieux All England Grand Prix at Hickstead’s September Tour in 2023.

“He is amazing, I don’t really have the words for him. He is the horse of a lifetime for me, he’s changed my life in a lot of ways and taught me some good lessons, so to win this with him is really special,” she added.

Jessica now has her sights set on a new Hickstead ambition – to be selected for the Irish team for the Agria Nations Cup of Great Britain. “I definitely want to jump on the team next year – that’s the next target for sure. It’s an amazing arena and an amazing show,” she said.

In the UNEX Group Speed Classic, James Smith look the win with Juno Rose 23. Having been drawn sixth to go out of 40 starters, he produced a quick time of 67.71sec to put pressure on his rivals. Several contenders went faster, including Nicole Lockhead Anderson (Madagascar Dwerse Hagen), Mark Edwards (Royale Tale), Matthew Sampson (King Lepantino) and James on his second ride Kosmos A, but poles fell for each to add crucial time penalties that cost them the win. 

“I was always going to be trying to win, but everything has to be going right on the day. I’m delighted," said James. “My mare is naturally quite quick, so I didn’t want to go crazy."

Britain’s Sameh El Dahan had been relegated to second place in the opening five-star class of the show on Thursday, but today he gained retribution when he triumphed in the ClipMyHorse.TV Salver, riding the experienced WKD Aimez Moi.

Germany’s Jörne Sprehe and the stallion Toys, who bested Sameh in Thursday’s ClipMyHorse.TV Trophy, were once again on form, sweeping into a 3sec lead from fourth-to-go of 15 forward for the jump-off. But their advantage was short lived, as next to go Sameh and the 14-year-old chestnut mare found an extra 0.42sec to bump them from the top of the leaderboard.

“We know her inside out,” Sameh said of WKD Aimez Moi. “She’s a class mare who has already won some grands prix and jumped Nations Cups, so she’s quite experienced. I knew that nothing today would faze her, I just have to do my best and she will do the rest. She’s always looking at the jumps and she’s quite careful,” he added. “She’s also quick across the ground, so I know that I don’t have to go crazy.”

Tomorrow the Agria Royal International Horse Show draws to a close with the feature Grand Prix, the Agria King George V Gold Cup.

Tickets for the Agria Royal International Horse Show (24-28 July) can be bought online or at the gate. Watch the livestream at Hickstead.TV