Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting
First held in 1961, the Hickstead Derby is one of the most historic and popular classes in showjumping.
Many of showjumping’s biggest names have their name listed in the Hickstead Derby roll of honour. Who can forget Eddie Macken’s famous four-timer with the great Boomerang; the diminutive Stroller winning with 20-year-old Marion Coakes; the one-eyed wonder horse Adventure De Kannan finally giving Trevor Breen his longed-for first Derby win? The list of equine winners includes some of the best horses of all time, including Ryan’s Son, Apollo and Deister; while British stars such as David Broome, Pat Smythe, Nick Skelton, John and Michael Whitaker, Harvey Smith and Olympic champion Ben Maher have all won the Derby.
There is nothing else quite like the spectacle of the country’s top horses and riders competing in Hickstead’s iconic International Arena, which also include the exciting British Speed Derby and the Agria Derby Trial, in which riders must qualify for the Al Shira’aa Derby itself.
This equestrian showcase in the heart of West Sussex combines international showjumping with showing classes, scurry driving and lots more, and it’s little wonder it is regarded as one of the most popular events in the horse world.
The Agria Royal International Horse Show
Five-star showjumping and championship showing at one of the most famous showgrounds in the world.
The Agria Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead is one of the pinnacles of the summer season. Thousands of equestrian fans are expected to flock here to the All England Jumping Course to watch international highlights such as the Agria Nations Cup of Great Britain, the JCL Insurance Brokers Queen Elizabeth II Cup and the Al Shira’aa King George V Gold Cup.
The Royal International Horse Show is also renowned as the pinnacle of the outdoor showing season, with riders travelling up and down the country in order to pick up one of the coveted qualifying tickets just to compete at the show. There are hundreds of showing championships across the six days, with the best of these competing in the Barberstown Castle Supreme Horse and the Supreme Products Supreme Pony Championships on the final Sunday.
In addition, there’s arena eventing, scurry driving, and national showjumping classes ranging from the British Showjumping Winter Finals to the British Riding Clubs team competition, and tiny cross-poles for the very youngest of equestrians.
Did you know?
Hickstead showground offers something for everyone at their events, the Derby offerings include a large shopping village and a funfair, while the RIHS offerings include Village Green, children’s entertainment, live choirs and more!
