With the world’s best riders in action, the opportunity to see the British showjumping team competing on home turf, plus the chance to watch thousands of top-class show horses and ponies being put through their paces, a visit to the Longines Royal International Horse Show is a must for any equestrian fan.
Held on 25-30 July, this five-star international show (the official horse show of The British Horse Society) features showjumping, showing, carriage driving, scurry driving and arena eventing. It is the oldest horse show in Britain, having been first held back in 1907, and it has been hosted at Hickstead in West Sussex every year since 1992.
Showjumping highlights at this prestigious show include the FEI Nations Cup™ of Great Britain, presented by Longines, which takes place on the Friday afternoon. As hosts, Britain will be guaranteed a place in the line-up during this crucial year – the Brits must win European Division Two in order to be promoted back to Division One next year.
Thursday’s MS Amlin Eventers’ Challenge is always hugely popular, with the world’s best event riders galloping round the International Arena at speed. Saturday’s highlight is the Queen Elizabeth II Cup, while Sunday concludes with the €200,000 Longines King George V Gold Cup, won last year by Ireland’s Billy Twomey.
When it comes to showing, the Longines Royal International Horse Show is the most prestigious outdoor show of the season, with horses and ponies being campaigned all over the country in the run up to the event in the hope of securing a qualifying ticket. At the show, Britain’s best horses and ponies compete in their respective classes, hoping to claim a coveted place in the British Horse Society Supreme Horse and the De La Hey Family Supreme Pony Championships on Sunday afternoon.
There are eight rings of equestrian action in total, including hundreds of national showjumping and showing classes. But there is plenty on offer for everyone, whether horse-inclined or not, including the huge Charles Owen Shopping Village, a funfair for children, plus a wide range of bars and eateries. A number of hospitality options are on offer, from private boxes to the members’ restaurant. Ladies’ Day is held on the Saturday, where the best-dressed visitors have the chance to win some fabulous prizes.
Tickets for the Longines Royal International Horse Show are on sale now at www.hickstead.co.uk. Competitor entries are open now and will close on Friday 2 June.