Hickstead, England – July 26, 2025 – The Netherlands’ Sanne Thijssen (NED) won the opening international class of the day. Forty-eight combinations came forward for the €28,200 Brilliance Horse Auction Co. Trophy CSIO 5*, with 17 horses jumping clear to go through to the jump-off.

For much of the second phase, it looked as though first-to-go Robert Whitaker (GBR) and his Al Shira’aa Derby winner Gentlemen van het Veldhof would prove unbeatable. Their quick time of 34.95 seconds saw Robert stop the clock nearly a second faster than his cousin William Whitaker (GBR), who rode Millfield Quickstep across the finish line in 35.84 seconds.

But neither Whitaker had reckoned on Sanne Thijssen (NED), who took off almost half a second from Robert’s time to secure victory with the 12-year-old Cupcake Z.

Final Results – €28,200 Brilliance Horse Auction Co. Trophy CSIO 5*

1) Sanne Thijssen (NED) & Cupcake Z – 0 / 0 – 34.58

2) Robert Whitaker (GBR) & Gentleman van het Veldhof – 0 / 0 – 34.95

3) William Whitaker (GBR) & Millfield Quickstep – 0 / 0 – 35.84

Source: Press Release from Hickstead Press Office for the All England Jumping Course – Hickstead

Photos: © AEJC / Elli Birch / Boots & Hooves Photography

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