Irish continue to deliver in West Sussex, with top-flight ribbons garnered on continentHickstead has been the site of famous victories of some of the best show jumpers, equine and human, Ireland has ever produced and this year, there were successes at the four-star Al Shiraaa Derby meeting in the opening three international classes for Richard Howley, David Simpson and Sen Monaghan on Thursday and Friday.The one they all wanted, of course, was the 64th edition of the Hickstead Derby. Simpson almost joined an illustrious list including Eddie Macken, Capt John Ledingham, inaugural victor Seamus Hayes, Trevor Breen and Peter Charles (in his days representing Ireland) as a multiple winner of the Derby, and with Pjotr Van De Kruishoeve, an even more select grouping inhabited by just William Funnell (GBR), with Cortaflex Mondriaan in 2006, and Dublon in 2024, of completing the Trial and Derby double.They had four faults in the jump-off however, finishing second in a brilliant effort, to William Whitaker and Flaymboyant II.Simpson, a native of Derry who is based a little over 10 miles away from Hickstead in Coolham, was joined on the podium by compatriots Stephan Dubsky and Derek McCoppin, who shared third with Briton Sammie Jo Coffin.There was five-star action in mainland Europe and Denis Lynch posted the standout result when runner-up in the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix in Paris on Saturday. Cian OConnor helped his team, Riyadh Knights finish third in the League competition 24 hours earlier.Elsewhere, Harry Allen won the Grand Prix at the two-star show in Lier, where Daniel Fitzgerald was also victorious earlier in the week.Simpson and Pjotr Van De Kruishoeve got the show on the road in Hickstead with a superb victory in the Agria Derby Trial (main pic and above). A strong contingent of 45 participated and with 19 jumping efforts and a time allowed of just under two minutes, it produced just six clear rounds. Three of the four athletes that opted to return for the jump-off were Irish.Dubsky was the pathfinder in the second round, but when his horse C The Stars (Miriam Rohr) knocked the Derby rails, it gave the others some breathing space. Event rider Alex Bragg (GBR) and Hegglelane Houston were next, and having had a practice at Simpsons replica Derby fences three days earlier, they produced the first of the double clears to take the lead.Simpson matched the clear on the horse he won the 2023 Derby with, knocking almost six seconds off the target with a time of 58.24.Last to go was McCoppin and Capital Levubu (Meredith Dos Santos), but a fence down dropped them to fourth, confirming a second triumph for Simpson in the Derby Trial, 10 years after delivering with Gotti Van Paemel in 2016.Pjotr was just eight when he won the Hickstead Derby, and having not competed in it since, was steered towards Sundays headline class by his owner, notably recording gold and silver medal-winning returns in Hamburg Derby qualifiers. Following up in the Derby Trial at the West Sussex arena confirmed his wellbeing.Hes been in great shape for the last couple of weeks he was unbelievable in Hamburg and in St. Gallen, said Simpson afterwards.Howley brought up Amhrn na bhFiann for the second time by navigating Caprice DElle (ESM Equestrian) to the winners enclosure after the two-phase competition for the Tom Hudson Trophy. The pair went through the speed phase in 34 seconds flat to secure the spoils, and they were joined in the podium positions by Fenor pilot, Commandant Geoff Curran with the Irish Sport Horse DHF Alliance, who finished third in 35.30.Howley is still on a learning curve with Caprice DElle (above) but the early signs are very promising indeed for the pairing.He is a very versatile horse who absolutely loves to go against the clock, said the Enniscrone native of the 14-year-old he bought two weeks ago, after riding him for six months. He really enjoys it as I am sure you could tell by the prize giving! Hes won so much for us already in a short space of time and its great to have him in the stable.On Friday, Sen Monaghan made it a perfect three for Irish equestrians in the international classes at the iconic venue, and it was a memorable and emotional success for the Kilcock athlete. Toyger (Catherine OConnor), who Monaghan bought from Shane Breen and then rode as Ireland finished second in the Longines League of Nations final last October, has endured a number of setbacks since and the Hickstead Masters Trophy was the 14-year-olds return to high-class competition (below).A mammoth start list of 75 combinations took part but it was Monaghan and Toyger who topped the table after the jump-off, ahead of the UAEs Abdullah Mohd Al Marri, with the Irish Sport Horse BBS McGregor, bred in Kilkenny by Marguerite Ryan. Colligan man, Peter Moloney rounded out the top five with Nielson (Lisa Volk), just ahead of Castledermots former Derby winner Mikey Pender, with the Ita Brennan-bred Irish Sport Horse HHS Calais (Bravo Hughes)I knew I had arguably the best horse in the class, and I was last to go, so if everything came right Id say he was going to pull it off, said Monaghan. Hes one of the best horses in the world, hes absolutely phenomenal.Its his first big show since the League of Nations Final last October. Its an emotional win because its been a long wait to get him back on the road. Hes been unlucky with a few little setbacks since October, nothing major, but we wanted to make sure he was fully back and now he feels better than ever, so I am excited for whats ahead of him.The Longines Global Champions Tour moved to its third French venue in as many weeks, this time to the capital, and while the Irish run of victories in the team competition that is the League came to an end after the successes of Max Wachman and Ciaran Nallon, OConnor did ensure a Green Jacket on the podium just a matter of hours after Monaghans win in Hickstead.With the Eiffel Tower in touching distance of the Champ de Mars facility, the Karlswood Stables maestro followed an opening time fault with Kentucky TN (Karlswood Partners) in the 1.60m speed class by going clear (below) with Gospel Tame (Ronnoco Jump/ULC) in the 1.55m equivalent, the latter effort in 72.28 earning fourth place on the individual standings.More importantly, with Olivier Perreau (FRA) having one rail down on Himalaya Du Temple, having gone clear in the first competition with GL Events Dorai DAiguilly, that left the Knights on a total of five faults, enough for third.Were really happy, OConnor declared. The horses jumped great and Olivier rode really well too. My horse was fantastic in the first round and Gospel had to shorten up a bit for the second round because the time was tight, but he handled that really well. To be on the podium and get Riyadh Knights up there, were certainly very happy.Its important to make a plan, but there are so many good combinations and so much competition. We came here wanting to go well this week, so it was great when it worked out. To come away with a podium and some strong championship points is very positive for the team.The Irish highlight of the show, however, was the Cordial showcasing his enduring class with a runner-up finish in Saturdays LGCT Grand Prix, with Lynch (below left) in the irons. The 17-year-old stallion owned by Onyx Consulting and Tipperarys Finest excelled with a double clear under his experienced pilot, and the duo were among six of the 41 original participants to return for the decider.And Cordial showed that he has plenty of gears under the bonnet, as well as scope, going clear again in 39.89 seconds. That saw off the partnerships of GL Events Dorai DAiguilly (third) and Christian Ahlmann (GER), with Untouched LB (fourth), two of the others to be foot-perfect over the obstacles.There could be no denying Max Khner (AUT) and his Mark Sherry-bred 15-year-old EIC Up Too Jacco Blue, however, the pair streaking clear in 38.36 to capture the 101,838 first prize, though 61,720 was significant consolation for Lynch and Cordials connections.Khner moves to second in the overall standings, with Mikey Pender the leading Irish athlete in seventh, just ahead of OConnor. Lynch remains in contention for the end-of-season finale in 16th.Attentions returned to the other side of the English Channel on Sunday, as Simpson chased history as part of a really strong Irish challenge. Ballymoney, Co Wexford athlete Dubsky held the lead a long while with C The Stars, a pairing that took fourth in the Deutches Derby in Hamburg, as the only combination with four faults as the course claimed victim after victim. Eventually, they were joined by Longfords McCoppin and Capital Levubu, and Coffin with the Brian OMalley-bred and co-owned Chaccomo Blue (ISH).Simpson and the horse he knows as Freddie removed those from the equation with a faultless round, though there was a nervous moment with a rub of a pole in the Devils Dyke. They would be joined immediately by William Whitaker, himself a winner 10 years ago, and looking to add to his familys 10 previous triumphs. Whats more, the English rider and Flamboyant II had been beaten in jump-offs in the last two renewals. They had a touch of fortune too but again, score card remained unblemished.It was the Ulsterman that was first to return with his 11-year-old stallion, who is naturally faster than Flamboyant. They injected some speed to proceedings but did not escape the Devils Dyke on this occasion, knocking the middle part of the triple, after a tight turn. It was the first time the horse had knocked a jump on the course. Simpson could not hide his disappointment, dropping his head to his right hand.Whitaker and Flamboyant finally shed their bridesmaid status with an unerring jumping display to deny the 2023 victors. But Simpson was proud of his partners endeavours and looking forward to the future with what is still a very young horse at this level.Pjotr loves it here at Hickstead, and I was delighted with how he was today, he stated. His next target is to come back here in July for the Nations Cup and the Grand Prix. Thats the good thing about him, he can do Derbies, he can do five-star Grands Prix. Im very lucky to have him.On Sunday, Allen and Lukaku Vd Bisschop (Aloga Stables) justified their status as favourites for the concluding Grand Prix at the Azelhof arena. The Germany-based Enniscorthy athlete and his 15-year-old bay stallion topped a field of 59 by going quickest in a 10-strong jump-off, stopping the timers in 39.32 seconds in the 1.45m class.On Thursday, Kilcullen athlete Fitzgerald and another Aloga Stables charte, Deparino B, were the fastest of eight double clears in the 1.45m jump-off class with a time of 35.45.BREEDINGDHF ALLIANCE (ISH) 2015 Mare by Ard Vdl Douglas (KWPN) out of Rosie Bee (ISH) by Lux Z (HANN). Breeder: Paul Douglas, Aughnacloy, Co Tyrone. Owner: Jess Stallard & Minister for Defence. Rider: Commandant Geoff Curran (IRL).CHACCOMO BLUE (ISH) 2011 br gelding by Vigo DArsouilles (BWP) our of Hot Lux (ISH) by Lux Z (HANN). BreedeR: Brian OMalley, Co Sligo. Owner: Sammie Joe Coffin & Brian OMalley. Rider: Sammie Jo Coffin (GBR)EIC UP TOO JACCO BLUE (ISH) 2011 br gelding by Chacco-Blue (MECKL) out Celestial Up Too (ISH) by Douglas (KWPN). Breeder: Mark Sherry, Co Wicklow. Owner: Hans Christian Jacobsen & Khner. Rider: Max Khner (AUT)BBS MCGREGOR (ISH) 2012 gelding by Cardento (HOLST) out of Random Chance (ISH) by Mark Twain (TB). Breeder: Marguerite Ryan, Co Kilkenny. Owner: Al ShiraAa Stables. Rider: Abdullah Mohd Al Marri (UAE).HHS CALAIS (ISH) 2011 gelding by Cavalier Royale (HOLST) out of MHS OBOS Cruise (ISH) by OBOS Quality (OLD). Breeder: Ita Brennan, Co. Kilkenny. Owner: Bravo Hughes Ltd. Rider: Michael Pender (IRL).The post Simpson heads Hickstead heroics appeared first on .