Hickstead Announce Contingency Plans for 2020 Events

Show Jumping News :: Everything Horse

The All England Show Jumping Course Directors, responsible for holding leading UK equestrian events Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting, and the Longines Royal International Horse Show, have today announced they are on course to deliver July’s event.

In a statement, the Directors at Hickstead say plans are underway for the July’s Longines Royal International, however, understandably conditions are being constantly reassessed.

In a forward-thinking move, June’s Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting has been postponed, where organisers are hopeful to amalgamate the event with September’s Science Supplements All England Jumping Championships (1 to 6 September). However, approval from the relevant governing bodies is awaiting approval.

The official statement reads;

After considering the recent government announcements, we have had to make the difficult decision to postpone the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting, scheduled to take place 24 – 28 June.  We are currently working towards combining it with our national show, the Science Supplements All England Jumping Championships, from 1 – 6 September, pending approval from British Showjumping and the FEI.

The intention will be to merge classes from both events to include a number of age jumping championships alongside the Science Supplements Speed Derby and the 60th running of the Al Shira’aa Derby.  The showing schedule will remain the same, i.e. classes running on the same days from Thursday to Sunday.  A full schedule will be issued in due course.

The popular Charles Owen Shopping Village will also relocate to the 3 – 6 September.

The Hickstead office is now closed, but trade exhibitors, hospitality and ticket purchasers will be contacted directly by email with the option to either transfer to the new dates or receive a refund as per our terms and conditions.

At present, we are continuing with preparations for the Longines Royal International Horse Show still planned for 21 – 26 July 2020.  We will, of course, continue to monitor all sources of information. There will be some complications re-qualified horses, but we may well run it along similar lines to the foot and mouth year of 2001.  Basically, those already qualified will be accepted and then the classes will be opened up, with non-qualified entrants paying an increased entry fee.

We wish to thank all of our sponsors, trade exhibitors, competitors and stakeholders for their continued support during this unprecedented time.  We ask that you remain patient, and we will update you further when we have more information.