Exciting equestrian year lies ahead at Hickstead

A packed season of events is in store for equestrian fans at Hickstead.

The venue has outlined its schedule for 2023 – and these are the highlights…

The Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting, June 22-25

Hickstead’s June fixture is centred around one of the most popular and iconic showjumping classes in the world – the Al Shira’aa Derby.

Held on the final Sunday afternoon of the show, the Hickstead Derby includes famous fences such as the 10ft 6in Derby Bank, the tricky Devil’s Dyke, the double of water ditches and the vast Open Water.

It is a measure of how difficult the course is that there have been only 65 clear rounds since 1961, when the class first took place. Last year just one rider managed to secure an elusive clear – Irishman Shane Breen, who had been trying to win the Derby for 17 years before finally securing victory with the talented stallion Can Ya Makan.

The Longines Royal International Horse Show, July 25-30

With five-star international showjumping alongside top level championship showing, the Longines Royal

International Horse Show at Hickstead is a must-visit for any discerning equestrian fan.

Highlights include the Longines King George V Gold Cup on Sunday afternoon, Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth II Cup, and Friday’s Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup of Great Britain.

Expect to see some of the sport’s biggest names in actions, with the USA, Brazil, Sweden, Ireland, Germany, France, Belgium and of course Great Britain all fielding teams for this year’s event. The I.C.E Horseboxes

All England Dressage Festival, May 9-14 International dressage returns to Hickstead, with new CDI and CPEDI (international and para) classes added to the I.C.E Horseboxes All England Dressage Festival for the first time.

Theallenglandseptember Tour, August 30, September 3, September 6-10 Enjoy two back-to-back weeks of showjumping action at Hickstead’s season finale. These popular national championships were first held in 2011.