Ireland’s David Simpson wins Hickstead Queen Elizabeth II Cup for second time

Irish riders have finished strongly at Hickstead’s five-star show in the UK, following on from their runner-up finish in Friday’s Longines FEI Nations Cup.

David Simpson guided Gentleman VH Veldof to victory in Hickstead’d Queen’s Cup

On Saturday afternoon Derry’s David Simpson partnered Gentleman VH Veldof to victory in the Science Supplements BHS Queen Elizabeth II Cup. It was the second time that Simpson has won the competition, having also taken victory in 2016 when riding Chessy 17.
The All England Jumping Course at Hickstead is a home from home for Simpson – he is based nearby in West Sussex, and was formerly a stable jockey for fellow Irishman Shane Breen. He has only had the ride on Gentleman VH Veldof for a few weeks.

“He landed on the Monday before the Al Shira’aa Derby show in June, so that was our first show with him. I really, really like him. For such a short period together, we seem to have clicked quite well,” he says. “All the girls absolutely love him, so he must be a bit of a gentleman! For me, he’s absolutely lovely to work with. Michael Whitaker rode him before me, so I went back and watched a couple of videos of him riding him. Obviously I can’t copy him, but it gave me some ideas,” Simpson said.