Harriet Nuttall’s super seconds Hickstead 2015

Team Selwood show jumper, 25 year old Harriet Nuttall flew the flag tremendously well at the Hickstead Derby meeting last week and over the weekend. With a fantastic week in various classes, most notably her second placings in the speed derby aboard Silver Lift and in the Derby class aboard A Touch Imperious, Harriet’s performances have really caught everyone’s eye!

Speed Derby

In the speed derby there were around 30 riders tackling the course all aiming for that winning time. Harriet rode, in her own words “her little legged” Silver Lift, a diminutive horse who was once her sisters first ride and enjoyed life as a hunter! Harriet has been working on his galloping this year and it has really paid off. They motored around the course to take pole position, even with a fence down! The ten year old gelding certainly showed that what he lacks in height he made up for in speed! Harriet looked impossible to beat until Guy Williams took to the stage aboard Casper De Muze. Gutting for Harriet as this is the second year running she has finished in second place – so third time lucky for next year we hope! Harriet really did feel that this year she had the edge over Guy Williams – especially as Silver Lift had seemed to find an extra gear around the course with a time of 92.38! But it wasn’t to be and Guy was crowned winner on 91.95 with Harriet now even more determined for 2016 to be her year!

Derby Class

In the much coveted Derby class held yesterday, Harriet was one of the favorites to win in front of an estimated 15,000 strong crowd. Bookies had it tightly held with odds showing ‘anything could happen’ for Harriet and her ride; 11 year old gelding A Touch Imperious. Harriet adores this horse and credits him as being able to do anything she asks of him. “He has so much character and has proved himself already as a top horse coming third in last years derby class.

Selwood Past and Present

Harriet competed against a string of top show jumpers including last years winner and previous Selwood rider; Trevor Breen. A stunning round by the Somerset based rider, who was one of the last few to jump, had the crowd holding their breath and jumping every fence with her. An unfortunate four faults just caught her out and with Trevor having kept a clean sheet aboard Loughnatousa WB, Harriet took second place joint with William Whitaker, Billy Twomey, Steven Franks and Nigel Coupe.

Other great results across the board for Harriet included a top ten placing in the Beethoven 7 & 8 year old champs aboard Dulf. This combined with press and media attention, interviews and course walks, Harriet was incredibly busy all week! She has told us just how delighted she was with all the horses and how well she feels they performed. It was certainly a great show and Selwood are delighted with the achievements Harriet and her team took home. Well done!