2021 Cancelled Hickstead Derby Replaced with National Fixture

The 2021 Hickstead Derby has been cancelled and replaced with a National fixture with similar features including jumping classes, showing and carriage driving.

The cancellation of international competition came due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and perhaps comes as no surprise as cases continue to rise across Europe.

Although the dates remain the same (23-27 June) there will be no international showjumping, with the highlight Al Shira’aa Derby class included in the cancellation plans. An iconic event in the equestrian calendar, the fixture attracts around 40,000 people across the five days of the show.

The meeting was cancelled in 2020, which was the first time the class had not run since its inception. The decision to miss a second year has been a very disappointing one, but despite the encouraging Government announcements and rollout of the vaccine, the situation still remains fragile and unpredictable at this time.

The replacement event, the Al Shira’aa Jumping Championships, will see seven rings of competition run throughout the show, including the Longines International Arena. The highlights will be the Al Shira’aa Trophy, a 1.40m Grand Prix with a £15,000 prize fund, as well as the Al Shira’aa age championships. There will be a number of HOYS qualifying showing classes, plus the final of the RoR/Tattersalls Show Horse series.

Hickstead Director Lizzie Bunn commented:

This has been a very tough decision, but the Derby is more than just a showjumping competition, it is an occasion where a full and enthusiastic crowd plays its part.  With the uncertainty over permitted attendance, as well as other restrictions that we face, we are concentrating all our efforts on running a major five-day national show instead. We would like to thank Al Shira’aa and all our stakeholders for their continued support during this challenging time.”

At present, a number of spectators will be allowed to the event, with a much smaller array of equestrian shopping outlets available throughout.

Competitor entries will open in April at www.hickstead.co.uk.

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Suzanne Ashton

Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.