Jodie Kidd has been named as a Director of Hickstead, making her the third generation in her own family to take the seat.
An avid equestrian and polo player, Jodie has followed in her father’s stride with her love for the sport. As a child she frequented the famous showground competing on ponies while her father Johnny Kidd held his role as a Director. Before Johnny, it was his mother Janet Kidd, the first Patron of Hickstead, who played an instrumental part in setting up the showground.
Jodie’s godfather was Douglas Bunn, who founded the showground in 1960, while Jodie’s mother Wendy Kidd is godmother to Douglas’s daughter, Chloe Breen, and her father Johnny Kidd is godfather to Douglas’s son, John.
Recently, Jodie filmed a series of interviews with some of Hickstead’s best known riders, including John and Robert Whitaker, and Harry and Peter Charles.
“I have so many great memories of Hickstead when growing up – such as watching Buddy Bunn win the Hickstead Derby in 2004, which was one of my Godfather Douglas’s proudest moments – there wasn’t a dry eye in the house that day,” said Jodie. “I also remember this one day when John Whitaker and Milton rode over to one of the back rings to watch us jump our 13.2hh ponies – none of us could concentrate! Other teenagers had posters of Brad Pitt on the wall, but I had pictures of John and Milton.”
As part of Jodie’s new role, she will be attending the Agria Royal International Horse Show and helping to promote Hickstead’s events to a wider audience.
“There is so much on offer at Hickstead, and it doesn’t matter whether you’re horsey or not,” she added. “The shopping is fantastic, and children always love all the family entertainment during the shows – especially the funfair. If you just want to enjoy some excellent sport in the Sussex countryside, perhaps with a glass of Pimms or Champagne, then I’d definitely encourage everyone to head down to the showground for a brilliant day out.”
Tickets for the Agria Royal International Horse Show (23-28 July) are on sale now, with general admission prices starting from £20. Advance discounts and concessions are available, including free admission to all under-15s when booked before Friday 19 July. Visit www.hickstead.co.uk for details.
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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.