Michael Pender wins the Al Shira'aa Derby 2019
🥇🏆 3 horses in the jump-off and the youngest ever Derby winner rode to victory: Congratulations to Michael Pender & Hearton Du Bois Halleux on this amazing win!! 🏵😱👏 Catch the first round here. #Hickstead Al Shira'aa Stables ▶️ The Al Shira’aa Derby was thrilling right to the end – You can catch up on all the action at https://watch.clipmyhorse.tv/HicksteadDerby2019
Posted by The All England Jumping Course, Hickstead on Sunday, June 23, 2019
There aren’t a lot of obstacles that will make an eventer’s eyes bug out, but the ultra-steep Hickstead Bank is generally one of them. It’s seriously impressive any time a horse and rider descend that monstrosity, but a 19-year-old? Holy smoke. And as a first-time Derby competitor? Wow. Oh, and even more impressive: HE WON.
Ireland’s Michael Pender — just three months shy of his 20th birthday — became the youngest winner of the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby yesterday. Facing off against Derby veterans Shane Breen and Harriet Nuttall in a jump off, Michael rode Hearton Du Bois Halleux, a 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion, to post the only double clear. Watch their round above!
