WHITAKERS ON FORM AT HICKSTEAD

26/06/2010
MCE sponsored riders Michael & William Whitaker have had a great start to the Hickstead Derby meeting.

This year's Bunn Leisure Derby Trial went to four-times DFS Derby winner Michael Whitaker on GIG Amai. Michael, however, will not be riding GIG Amai on Sunday. Instead he will be declaring Pilgrim II and Trappist, who finished 13th and 18th in the Trial.

The Hickstead Master's Challenge, in memory of Hickstead founder the late Douglas Bunn, was won by 20-year-old William Whitaker – Michael's nephew - and Sarlino. The Challenge course was in two sections, with the second part a line of four successively bigger gates. "They were big enough and difficult to jump," he said.

William will be riding Sarlino in Saturday's Bunn Leisure Speed Derby and two horses, Animation II and Haddon House Leonardo 590 in Sunday's DFS Derby.