New classes at Hickstead offer exciting opportunties for amateur riders

If you’ve always dreamed of competing at Hickstead, this could be your year as there are a number of new classes for grassroots riders.

Entries open

Entries are open for the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting (20-24 June), and there are more opportunities than ever to compete at the All England Jumping Course.

Showjumping classes now start at 90cm, with the addition of KBIS Insurance British Novice to the schedule. While in showing the new Science Supplements Novice Working Hunter class has a maximum height of 1m.

Grassroots competitors

“We always aim to encourage novice horses and grassroots competitors, which is why we’re pleased to be able to offer British Novice classes at this year’s international shows,” says Hickstead director Lizzie Bunn.

“These new classes will allow even more riders the chance to compete at a prestigious international event and to enjoy the experience of riding at Hickstead.”

Another exciting competition is the Harcour Hickstead Amateur Championship, which has a prize fund of £1500. The preliminary rounds are a 1.10m and the final (1.15m) on Saturday takes place in the famous international arena on Saturday 23 June.

Historic competition

Budding young showjumpers are also being given the chance to compete in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup. The Hickstead Under-25 Masters now features two qualifying legs, with the winner of Saturday’s final qualifying for this year’s historic competition.

In addition to the showjumping there are a wide range showing classes, including cobs, riding horses, small hunters, mountain and moorlands, ridden hunters and coloured horses, as well as the popular RoR Tattersalls Show Series Championship for retrained racehorses.

Entries are open now and close on Monday 14 May 2018.