We have teamed up with The Sussex Newspaper to offer a pair of tickets to the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting on Thursday 22nd June. To enter simply email your name and why you should win the tickets to mjv@thesussexnewspaper.com. Closing date is Tuesday 20th at 5pm Winner will be chosen at random and notified via the email address they have entered with. Only one entry per person. .
The international action at the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting gets underway on Thursday 22 June. Highlights include the Stoner Jewellers Vase, the Bunn Leisure Derby Tankard and the British Private Driving Derby.
The highlight of this four-day international show is the famous Al Shira’aa Derby (Sunday 25 June). What makes the Derby unique is the fact the course doesn’t alter year on year, and the jumps that this year’s competitors will face are almost identical to those that riders had to clear back in 1961, when the class was first held. The famous fences such as the Devil’s Dyke, the double of ditches and the 10ft 6in Derby Bank remain as challenging, and recognisable, as ever.
The Al Shira’aa Derby build-up begins with the Bunn Leisure Derby Tankard on Thursday, then riders must qualify for the main event during Friday’s Bunn Leisure Derby Trial. This class features several of Hickstead’s permanent obstacles and can often provide a useful indication of Derby form.
If the Derby is all about clearing maximum height fences with precision, Saturday afternoon’s British Speed Derby is about covering the ground and flying over jumps at speed. Like in the Al Shira’aa Derby, the Speed Derby course stays the same year-on-year, with fences including the Road Crossing, Irish bank and treble of single planks. The fastest time against the clock wins, with 4sec added for every jump that falls.
Showing is a major part of this show, with classes for cobs, riding horses, small hunters, mountain and moorlands, ridden hunters and coloured horses as well as the final of the Tattersalls/RoR Thoroughbred Show Series Championship. Other equestrian highlights include national showjumping from 1m upwards, scurry driving, carriage driving and the Celebrity Derby Challenge, held on Saturday night, when our leading showjumpers try their hands at a new sport.
As well as getting the chance to watch top class equestrian sport, there is plenty on offer at Hickstead for all members of the family. The huge Charles Owen Shopping Village features hundreds of shops and stands selling tack, clothing, footwear, jewellery, gifts, outdoor furniture and more. There’s a funfair for children, a range of bars and eateries to suit everyone, and the option to bring a picnic and enjoy a fabulous summer’s day out in the West Sussex countryside.
Tickets for the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting (22-25 June) are on sale now at www.hickstead.co.uk.