Hickstead will celebrate as British Derby turns 60
When the Al Shira’aa Derby takes place at Hickstead on Sunday, June 26, it will mark the 60th edition of this iconic showjumping class.
The British Jumping Derby was the brainchild of Hickstead’s founder, Douglas Bunn. An international showjumper, Douglas had dreamed of opening Britain’s first purposebuilt showjumping venue. In 1959, he purchased Hickstead
Place and surrounding acreage – the next year, the All England Jumping Course opened.
Having been inspired by watching footage of the Hamburg Derby, Douglas wanted his own version and in 1961 the first Hickstead Derby was held. Hickstead’s huge main arena offered British riders the chance to jump the sort of fences they might encounter in Europe. This was never more true than in the Derby, with its vast water jump, towering rails, the tricky Devil’s Dyke treble, and the 10ft 6in high slope of the Derby Bank.
The first Derby was won by Ireland’s Seamus Hayes and Goodbye III, and in the six decades since it has been won by many of international showjumping’s biggest names: including David Broome, Harvey Smith and Marion Mould.
The most successful Derby combination was Eddie Macken and Boomerang, who won it four times in a row from 1976 to 1979.
The course has barely changed in the years since the class was first invented, and clear rounds are still as hard to come by.
After two blank yeas because of Covid, this summer the event is back for its 60th running.
Tickets for the Derby Meeting (23-26 June) are on sale now, and competitor entries are open. See www.hickstead.co.uk for more.