PAUL Beecher’s dream came through in 2012 when he became the sixth Irishman to add his name to the Boomerang trophy. To make the occasion even more special, he rode a horse that carried his family’s prefix in Loughnatousa WB (bred by Walter Connors), who he produced as a young horse until he was sold at 10 to Patricia Brown.

Speaking about his experience, Beecher told The Irish Field: “When you are at home riding your pony as a kid, you probably win it 10 times over. But it is surreal to think my name is on the board for it. The horse, WB, as the years went on, turned out to be a Derby specialist. In 2011, when we had our first jump around, he was quite green, but after the water he caught the bridle and came home super, and I said to Patricia Brown that if it was possible we should aim him next year for the Derby.”

Beecher is the first rider to ever win from the number one draw. “That morning, when we saw the draw and even thinking of it now, my heart sank, it was the worst draw. But it turned out to be the best draw.

“I can still to this day remember every single fence on the course. Being honest, the trickiest one to ride for me is the Devil’s Dyke.

"Top of the bank is probably the easiest part of the course because I was brought up on the hunting field and I am used to riding a horse off the bank. As the bank worked out, a sod gave way and he slipped, but even then, having been reared on the hunting field, my instinct kicked in.

“When I jumped the last and went through the finish, it didn’t kick in that he was clear. I looked up at the screen twice and it said zero. You are so immersed in it going around from fence to fence, it’s hard to know what is happening. Then the crowd let me know that I was clear!"

“Everything about the day was special. Having my parents there…it was the best way to repay my parents for everything they have done for me and the family and to say thank you. When we came home, there was a big surprise party and the amount of people who came; it showed how much show jumping still means to people. The Derby is the Grand National of show jumping.”

Beecher said the win has given his career a new meaning. “Without a doubt, it was a big turning point in my career, I will always be remembered now as a winning Hickstead Derby rider. Even for confidence, going into the ring, it gives you self-belief. It has given me the edge and confidence to move forward.

“Loughnatousa WB simply is just a fantastic horse and he went on to prove he was a Derby specialist when winning it again. He was probably one of the sharpest young horses I ever had growing up. It probably sounds cliché, but I always said that with all the work he took, he was going to make or break me. So it was fate really, I got the chance to ride him again and he made my career. He repaid all the work.”