Four months after breaking her leg in a riding fall, Holly Smith has won today’s feature class at the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting – the Bunn Leisure Derby Tankard.

Holly was out of the saddle for 13 weeks after breaking her leg in a fall at home back in February. But after extensive rehabilitation she has returned to top level competition, and there was no stopping the Leicestershire rider today as she claimed the top prize in the 1.50m competition with the nine-year-old Quality Old Joker.

Holly was the fastest of seven riders in the jump-off, finishing more than a second quicker than Ireland’s Billy Twomey with Eindhoven GH (Vaillant x Sheraton) in second place.

“He’s got such a big stride, and he was exceptional out there – I have a lot of Irish horses who respond well to being dared,” Holly said about Quality Old Joker. “He’ll jump in the Bunn Leisure Derby Trial tomorrow, and probably have a crack at the Al Shira’aa Derby on Sunday.”

The first international class of the show was the Stoner Jewellers Vase, with the top prize going to Nottinghamshire’s Louise Saywell. Riding the 14-year-old stallion Peiter VI (Acorado I x Landor), Louise set a quick time of 71.83 sec that no one else could match.

Having been drawn 28th to go out of 49 starters, Louise had a long wait until her win was confirmed. "I wasn’t nervous watching, though I did think the time was beatable – I didn’t go all out. He goes into the ring and gives 110% every time. He made the turns and he’s just naturally fast – if I get it right with him he’ll win it.”

Today’s victory was significant for Louise, who hasn’t won a big class at Hickstead since she was on ponies. “The last time I had a big win here it was on 12.2hhs,” she added.