Hickstead Announce Winter Training Opportunities

The organisers at Hickstead have announced winter training opportunities after recognising the key benefits the venue will provide the industry during the COVID pandemic.

The new cross-training facilities have been launched to help supplement income to the world-famous showground following cancellation of the two annual international horse shows for 2020. The additional cross country training facilities will be available for use from October – May (20/21).

In its first year, the facilities have proved very popular, with thousands of riders heading to West Sussex to train over the variety of cross-country obstacles including Olympic event riders Pippa Funnell, Tina Cook and Gemma Tattersall. The course is set across two vast all-weather surfaces – the Equine America Arena and adjoining Airowear Arena, along with the large Equine America Water Complex – with jumps ranging from 60cm to 1.10m in height. It offers year-round foot-perfect going, which has been particularly beneficial during the wet winter and prolonged dry summer.

The training facilities at Hickstead, including the 2plan Wealth Arena showjumping training course (top left).

Another opportunity that has proved popular has been the showjumping hire in the 2plan Wealth Arena, featuring a professionally-built course designed by international course builder Ben Townley. The jumps include fillers, planks, water trays and combinations, and the course is regularly refreshed to keep it varied and challenging.

This winter showjumping hire will continue until the end of November, with floodlit sessions available on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings. Arena Polo at Hickstead will return for December and January before the showjumping hire resumes from February until late spring.

Arena hire runs under strict Covid regulations, and all bookings must be made online at hicksteadschooling.co.uk.