First among equals

Alexandra Ledermann of France struck a blow for feminism at Hickstead yesterday when she became the first woman to claim European gold since the men's and women's championships were combined in 1975. The 30-year-old, who won Olympic bronze in Atlanta three years ago, took on Europe's best and beat them over three days of jumping.

Ledermann refused to jump at last month's British Nations Cup fixture, also at Hickstead, because she was debarred from riding in the feature King George V Gold Cup, which is confined to men. "I'm not interested in fighting against women only," she said after her European triumph. "I want to fight against the best." She did that yesterday and came out ahead of Swiss pair Markus Fuchs and Lesley McNaught.

Ledermann's individual gold was some compensation for the French after missing out on Friday's team medals, and it probably helped ease the agony for team-mate Michel Robert, who had led the individual standings since flagfall on Thursday, only to drop to fourth yesterday.

Ireland's Marion Hughes was not too far off the pace on her championship debut, moving up from overnight 10th to eighth after the first round yesterday in spite of a final fence error with the talented Heritage Charlton.

Jessica Kurten, in eighth after the first-round speed on Thursday, had slid right down to 24th during Friday's Nations Cup, but brought Paavo out to nail a top-20 finish yesterday, eventually winding up in 19th. Kurten had earlier claimed fourth place in the Traxdata Speed Derby with Etjoela, the mare that had galloped into the runner-up spot behind Edward Doyle and Cor d'Alme in Saturday's Derby Trophy.

Doyle had come frustratingly close to achieving a famous double on Saturday, but a rail off the first element of the notorious Devil's Dyke with Derby debutant Ears To You kept Doyle in a shared second place behind British-based Dutchman Rob Hoekstra and the ex-racehorse Lionel. Australia's Andrew Hoy and German girlfriend Bettina Overesch also had a good payday at the Scarvagh House one-day event in Co Down yesterday. Hoy won the feature CIC class with Darien Powers ahead of Overesch and Watermill Stream in third. Overesch has now clinched victory in the season-long CIC series.

Scarvagh House was also the final selection trial for Ireland's European championship squad. Fourth-placed Joanne Jarden (Bellecanna) has been named on the team with Austin O'Connor (Simply Rhett), Virginia McGrath (The Yellow Earl) and Nicola Cassidy (Mr Mullins). Sasha Harrison (All Love du Fenaud) and Jane O'Flynn (Kilnadeema Star) will compete as individuals, with Stuart Crawford (Kingatchacuk) and Trevor Smith (High Scope) named as reserves.