DAN Hyde rode a winner at Pardubice in the Czech Republic last Saturday. The hurdle race was part of the annual Fegentri series contested by selected amateur riders from around Europe. Following a winner in Germany last month, Dan is now leading the jumps series with three legs remaining.

At Pardubice, Dan’s mount, Burschi, won the two-mile race by six lengths. In second place was Sweden’s Elliot Ohgren, a long-standing member of the Willie Mullins team. Dan told us: “It was cool to be at Pardubice and see the famous cross-country track. It wasn’t in use on the day - the ground was pretty quick last weekend.

“My horse won fairly easily. He had previously won two Grade 2 races in Italy but had been off the track for 15 months. He cruised throughout the race before getting low over the last couple of jumps.”

Dan hopes to be on his travels again next month when the Fegentri series moves to Sardinia. There are also races in Prague, Poland, Compiegne and Rome before the series concludes in November. Paul Cawley and Ross Sugrue are also taking part this year.

“I’d recommend the Fegentri series to anyone,” Dan added. “It’s great fun and the travel costs are subsidised.”

Aged 23, Dan recently qualified as a mechanical engineer and he is currently working in sports insurance.