Agria Rider Mark Edwards Impresses at Hickstead Ahead of the Agria Royal International Horse Show

Agria-sponsored rider Mark Edwards enjoyed a standout week at the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting, securing a brilliant victory in the British Speed Derby before taking on one of showjumping’s toughest challenges in Sunday’s iconic Derby.

Mark and his talented 11-year-old Dillinger NE produced a superb clear round to retain the British Speed Derby title, stopping the clock in 97.43 seconds, an impressive 4.55 seconds ahead of the competition and the fastest of just three clear rounds.

The win marked a particularly meaningful return to the top at Hickstead. Last year, Mark claimed his first Speed Derby victory with Royale Tale, a mare who looked every inch a future Derby contender before tragically being lost in a competition accident just weeks later.

This year, Dillinger NE stepped up in style.

“We’ve had a great time at Hickstead,” said Mark. “Dillinger is just a great horse. He jumped the King George V last year and really loved it, so I thought he would suit this class.”

Owned by Mark’s father, Martyn Edwards, Dillinger has built a reputation as a hugely versatile horse, having competed successfully in everything from Nations Cups to international Grand Prix classes.

“This is the first weekend he’s done any Derby classes, and he’s taken to it like a duck to water,” Mark added. “He used his stride really well and absolutely loved it.”

Fresh from his Speed Derby triumph, Mark returned to the International Arena on Sunday for the prestigious Derby, one of the sport’s most historic and demanding classes. Against a world-class field of 30 combinations and Hickstead’s famously testing track, Mark and Dillinger finished a highly respectable 19th.

Victory went to William Whitaker aboard Flamboyant III, with William securing his second Hickstead Derby title. The difficulty of the course was underlined by the fact that only two of the 30 starters jumped clear.

Away from the ring, the event also provided a wonderful opportunity for the Agria team to welcome so many visitors to the stand, catch up with valued policyholders, and hear directly from customers about the horses and pets they love.

Attention now turns to the next major event at Hickstead, the Agria Royal International Horse Show, for another week of top-class competition, with Mark sure to arrive full of confidence after a memorable Derby week.