International dressage competition will return to Hickstead in 2023 and those at the top couldn’t be happier.
Joining the I.C.E Horseboxes All England Dressage Festival this May (9-14), the addition of CDI and CPDEI classes will add an extra 3 days of competition to the already popular event.
Launched in 2021 following the ease of lockdown restrictions, the I.C.E All England Dressage Festival held at the main Hickstead show ground, helped bridge the gap in competition after the closure of the International dressage ground in 2019.
The 2022 running of the event saw many top competitors take part, including former Olympic, World and European champion Charlotte Dujardin, Olympic team rider Gareth Hughes, and rising British star Annabelle Pidgley.
Carl Hester, team gold medallist from the London 2012 Olympics, commented:
It is superb news that international dressage is returning to Hickstead, which is one of the most iconic equestrian venues in our country. I was truly impressed during the first Premier League shows to be held at the main Hickstead site, and I am sure the upcoming CDI there will be a resounding success. Given the challenges of competing on the continent at the moment, it’s more important than ever that British-based riders have the opportunity to compete on a bigger stage on home soil, and now they will have the chance to ride at both Windsor and Hickstead in the space of a week.”
Gareth Hughes (feature image), who won the LeMieux FEI Grand Prix Test at last year’s I.C.E Horseboxes All England Dressage Festival, added:
Having the Hickstead CDI back is a great boost for British Dressage. It’s a great incentive to attract international combinations to compete at one of our most prestigious venues. I for one will be excited to return for the CDI this May.”
The show is anticipated a great return in terms of entries following the success of the Premier League Competition section of the Festival, and for those riders seeking greater opportunities in the United Kingdom.
Organiser David Crockford commented:
The feedback from last year’s event was overwhelmingly positive, and we knew there was a lot of support for the return of a CDI here. It’s set to be one of the busiest weeks in the British Dressage calendar, and we very much hope to see as many leading riders as possible support this new international fixture and continue to make the I.C.E Horseboxes All England Dressage Festival a success.”
Spectator entry and parking will be free of charge, and competitor entries will open in March.
Feature image: Gareth Hughes, winner of the Grand Prix at the I.C.E. Horseboxes All England Dressage Festival in 2022 (c) Elli Birch/Boots and Hooves Photography
