Tag: Hickstead

Hickstead Cancel International Dressage Event

Suzanne Ashton

Hickstead Director Lizzie Bunn has today released a statement to announce the All England Dressage Festival at Hickstead will not take place in 2025. Reasons given for cancelling the event include costs of judges and stewards, alongside other expenses making the event ’financially unviable’. First held in 2021, the show grew from being a three-day Premier League competition to a six-day CDI3* and CPEDI. However, the decision has been made not to run the event next year. “Regrettably, we’ve made the difficult decision to end our running of our dressage…

Jodie Kidd named a Director of Hickstead 

Suzanne Ashton
Jodie Kidd at Hickstead

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…

Hobby Horse Derby set to headline Hickstead’s Village Green

Suzanne Ashton
Hobby Horse Derby at Hickstead, 3 hobby horses

The Hobby Horse Derby is gearing up to become one of Hickstead’s most talked about classes in the forthcoming Agria Royal International Horse Show taking place from 23-28 July, 2024. With thousands of horses and ponies taking part across the six days of the show, the grounds will be alive with every kind of equine you can imagine, literally! From global superstars showjumping in the huge five-star Nations Cup down to tiny miniature horses … what more could an equestrian want?! The fun on-foot Hobby Horse Derby, will play out…

Three Derby contenders share honours in Agria Derby Trial at Hickstead

Suzanne Ashton
Showjumpers in the International Arena at Hickstead

Last year’s joint Agria Derby Trial winners, Robert Whitaker and Carlos Ribas once again shared the honours in today’s class (21st June) – and they were joined by 2022 winner William Funnell in a three-way split for first place. Robert, Carlos and William were the only clear rounds of the 26 starters, but the three riders all decided to split the honours in order to save their horses for Sunday’s Al Shira’aa Derby. The 19 fence round is a World Ranking class, comprising of a mix of complex lines and…

Brits hopeful for a back-to-back victory in the Nations Cup this July

Suzanne Ashton
Olympic champion Ben Maher was on last year's winning Nations Cup team at Hickstead (c) Elli Birch/Boots and Hooves Photography

The British team is hopeful of a back-to-back victory in the upcoming Agria Nations Cup, which is held each year at the renowned Hickstead Showground between 23 and 28 July, 2024. Last year’s victory was a monumental moment for the British riders, breaking a 13-year dry spell in the British leg of the series. It was a day to remember competitors Ben Maher (Exit Remo), Tim Gredley (Medoc De Toxandria), John Whitaker (Equine America Unick de Francport), and Harry Charles (Casquo Blue), who proudly lifted the Edward, Prince of Wales…

Shane Breen and Scarteen Conquer Hickstead Once Again

Suzanne Ashton
Shane Breen Hickstead September 2023

Shane Breen adds another Hickstead title to his list by claiming the top spot in Sunday’s ClipMyHorse.TV Sussex Cup, riding the 10-year-old grey homebred Scarteen II. The £6,000 1.40m Grand Prix class formed the feature class of week one of the All England September Tour, and plenty of showjumping’s leading national talents came forward for the final. Fourteen of the 35 qualified combinations produced a first round clear, to guarantee an ultra-competitive jump-off. But with the benefit of being drawn last to go, having qualified three horses for the final, Shane…

David Simpson denies William Funnell a record fifth Derby

Lucy Bennion
David Simpson won the Al Shira'aa Derby today at Hickstead (c) Elli Birch / Boots and Hooves

Ireland’s David Simpson won the Al Shira’aa Derby for the first time on Sunday 25th June, at Hickstead, denying the four-time winner William Funnell the chance to set a new record. William produced the first clear round of the competition, riding the 13-year-old, Equine America Billy Diamo. His chances of claiming that historic fifth win were then given an even bigger boost when he managed to jump a second clear with new ride Dublon. But 34-year-old David Simpson, drawn 25th to go out of the 27 starters, delivered a third clear…

Shane Breen heading for back-to-back win at Hickstead

Suzanne Ashton
Winner. Shane Breen (IRL) riding Can Ya Makan in The Al Shira’aa Derby at The Al Shira'aa Hickstead Derby Meeting June 26th 2022 ~ Credit Elli Birch/Bootsandhooves - NO UNAUTHORISED USE - 07745 909676

Reigning Al Shira’aa Derby champion Shane Breen has his sights set on winning Hickstead’s most iconic class for the second year in a row.  The 49-year-old Irish rider, who is based at Hickstead Place, finally claimed the Derby title in 2022 after 17 years of trying. It was the 60th running of the class, and Shane won the historic renewal in definitive style – jumping the only clear round of the competition with Can Ya Makan. Not only that, but Shane also finished as one of four runners-up with his second…