ACCRINGTON showjumper Geoff Billington fulfilled a lifetime ambition when he won the DFS British Derby at Hickstead on Sunday.

The 52-year-old has had his sights set on winning the event for more than 30 years and the oldest competitor finally celebrated success in muddy conditions at the weekend.

Geoff was something of a surprise winner and he admitted he felt his chances were dwindling on his horse Cassabachus as he was off 23rd out of the 26 competitors and there had been no clear rounds.

But he and his 10-year-old grey gelding didn't put a foot wrong - the only clear trial on the day.

He did get a time fault but it failed to dampen his spirits.

"This means everything," said Billington.

"I have been trying for quite a few years to win it - I haven't competed in all of the 30 years though!

"But I believed every year I could win it and I knew my horse suited the conditions because we finished third last year and I knew I had a fighting chance.

"But when I saw I had a late draw and I was fourth from the end I thought my chances had slipped.

"The conditions were deteroriating all the time as the ground was cutting up really badly and the banking was slippy but Cassabachus never blinked.

"To be honest, I was bricking it when I came to the last fence but I was just glad to get round.

"It just happened to be my day - and the £40,000 pay out wasn't bad either! I was just really pleased.

"I only finished looking at my texts on Tuesday as there were 189."

Geoff was a pupil at Peel Park School and St Christopher's High School and was under the tutelage of Billy Platt at his riding school in Accrington.

He continued to excel in showjumping culminating in two Olympic appearances at Atlanta in 1996 and Sydney in 2000 on his horse 'It's Otto.'

They were inseparable until It's Otto retired although the 21-year-old horse is still under his watchful eye at his home in Cheshire.

"He is the field now. I keep checking on him because of the bad weather and go out and give him a pat everyday.

"He was a brilliant horse and he earned me £700,000 so I can't complain."

But he has struck up a bond with Cassabachus, owned by Lady Rowallan, and it all paid off on Sunday.

And it made up for last year when Geoff finished what he saw as a disappointing third.

The top three were all involved in a jump off after getting four faults each but Geoff finished bottom of the three. "I really thought I had blown my chance of winning it then," he admitted.

But this time he took the 16 fence three-quarter mile course perfectly - and picked up the cool £40,000 for coming first.

And he was doubly proud as one of the showjumpers he trains was just behind him in second spot.

Teenager Andrew Mizon, the youngest competitor at 18, only entered after Geoff had a chat with his dentist, Andrew's father, last week.

"I coach Andrew and I went to see his dad, my dentist, and I asked if Andrew had entered Hickstead just in conversation.

"He said he hadn't and it was too late so I said I would see what I can do and I sorted it out. He did well."

Geoff's eldest son James, who has just turned 21, is also a keen showjumper and he was there supporting his dad.

Meanwhile his mum, Joyce, and dad, Lewis, had their fingers crossed from their home in Claremont Avenue as it was shown on BBC television.

"I don't think he expected to win," said his mum. "I know we struggled to get through after as he had 100s of texts on his mobile phone. But he eventually rung us and he was just so happy.

"He was celebrating and said he didn't expect to be driving home on Sunday night!"