From an Olympic champion making crêpes, a missing budgie, and a Whitaker winning the Nations Cup and King George for the second year in a row... Read all about our favourite moments from this year's Agria Royal International Horse Show!
You wait for ages for another Whitaker to win the Agria King George V Gold Cup – then two come along at once! Twelve months after Robert Whitaker lifted the iconic gold trophy for the first time, his cousin Donald achieves the same feat. And what a classic renewal of this class we had, with 10 in the jump-off (including a certain John Whitaker, too) and an insanely close finish, with 0.14sec dividing the top three. But in the end it was Donald’s feisty grey mare who raced round the challenging course to take the title. “She's unbelievably sharp and special in her own way, but all she wants to do is try her best, and she’s got the biggest heart. She is so naturally fast anyway and she’s such a trier,” said Donald in the press conference. We’re not sure what we enjoyed more – the moment loads of Whitakers all piled on each other in the collecting ring when they realised Donald had won, or the fact our new champion covered Millfield Colette in kisses afterwards.
Talking of John Whitaker, the showjumping legend proved to be as good as ever at the age of 68. For the second year in a row, he produced a crucial clear round on Equine America Unick Du Francport to clinch the Agria Nations Cup of Great Britain – the first time the Brits had had back-to-back wins in this class since 2003/4. We think this win was even more special, as it was the first time he’d been on a winning team at Hickstead alongside son Robert. He was on wry form in the press conference afterwards, saying someone had just asked him for a photo with his ‘brother’ Robert – which according to John was 'even better' than winning the Nations Cup.
Can we just talk about Ben Maher’s insanely good string of horses at the moment? He gets selected for Paris with Point Break, switches to Dallas Vegas Batilly and wins an Olympic team gold – and the week before he wins the Agria Nations Cup at Hickstead with Exit Remo, and comes second in the Agria King George V Gold Cup with Enjeu De Grisien. Now that’s what we call serious horsepower!
Before we sent him off to Paris, we wanted to check out Ben’s culinary skills by setting him a test – making the perfect French crêpe! Watch this video to see how he got on (hint: he’s annoyingly good at it – is there no end to this man’s talents?)
Also look out for his adorable son Cooper sampling one of the crêpes at the end of the video. Cooper also made his Hickstead debut at the show, competing in the cross-poles class at the Total Waste Management Mini Challenge. Ben ran around on lead rein duties, and told us it was more tiring doing that than jumping round the Nations Cup course.
Since the Queen Elizabeth II Cup was first opened to male riders in 2008, the men have taken the majority of the wins in this class. But this year it was very much girl power to the fore, with all five clear first rounds coming from lady riders, and Ireland’s Jessica Burke and Express Trend proving to be the fastest of these.
We’ve seen some quirky things in the Barberstown Castle Supreme Horse Championship, with riders trying their best to claim the Winston Churchill Cup. From riders drinking champagne during their individual show, to cobs going up the Derby Bank – we thought we’d seen it all. But this year’s Supreme winner Craig Kiddier decided to go all out to impress the judges, and popped his working hunter winner Mulberry Lane over the Cornishman – the first fence in the Al Shira’aa Derby!
In the Supreme Products Supreme Pony Championship, two ponies from the Team Jinks yard got exactly the same score of 26, and had to ride off for honours! In the end, it was Reise Shakespeare and Rosscon Copycat, winners of the Enablelink Supreme Show Hunter Pony Championship, who took the overall honours, with the gorgeous Peter & Pip Baker-Beall BSPS Supreme Mini Pony Champion, Newoak Midnight Blue, finishing reserve with Violet Mennie.
There have been some class horses that have won the Ashby Underwriting Eventers’ Challenge in the past, including five-star winners. This year’s winner Quindiva was seriously impressive under Alexander Bragg, adding a first Hickstead victory just two months after finishing third at Badminton.
Top producer Jayne Ross enjoyed another excellent week at Hickstead, starting the show with a win in the Supreme BSPA Skewbald & Piebald Indian Trail Ridden Championship with KBF Lucia – who is by the same stallion as her former winner KBF Crescendo, on whom Jayne won the same championship in both 2018 and 2022. Jayne also won the Sport Horse Breeding (GB) Supreme Hunter Championship for the second time in five years with Twinshock Warrior.
Two horses that were originally bought as Christmas presents both ended up winning on the same day of the show. Jade Hateley took the Pure-bred Ridden Arabian title with Cipriana, and Kaitlyn Fairhurst won the UKPH/Anthony Evans Insurance Young Riders Mountain & Moorland Supreme Championship with the Welsh section D stallion Thorneyside Royal Command. And the celebrations keep coming – Kaitlyn is due to be Jade’s bridesmaid at her upcoming wedding to Jake Bermingham.
The British Showjumping Winter Finals always throw up some great stories. Playboy Van De Zoetewei set a new record when he won the Coldstream Equestrian BS Winter 138cm Championship for a fifth time. The remarkably consistent pony won the title last year with Amy’s sister Lucy, Tabitha Kyle in 2018 and 2019, and Tilly Bamford in 2022. Meanwhile, there was a first International Arena appearance for nine-year-old Anya Dewey-Clarke, who duly won the Pro Ponies UK BS Winter 128cm Championship with the brilliantly-named Jim.
When Di Lampard was first appointed British Showjumping Performance Manager back in 2014, we asked her what she’d like to achieve in the role, and she told us: “I’d like to see our teams be consistently successful, and also for younger riders to get the chance to come through the ranks to be the future backbones of our teams. It would be fantastic to be successful at the Olympics. To win again, at Rio or Tokyo, would be out of this world.” We think she has more than achieved that! We were delighted to present Di with the Dorian Williams Trophy on the final day of the show, in recognition of her contribution towards the Agria Royal International Horse Show.
The most popular video of the week was this one from the coloured showing classes on the first day of the show, which has had an impressive 1.4 million views. We showed an array of piebald and skewbald stars galloping up the long side and asked you to rank your favourite – and the votes were pretty split!
And finally… We end with this feel-good story about a budgie that disappeared from its home and then turned up at Hickstead! We were delighted that Chip was reunited with his young owner at the show.
14 moments we loved from the Royal International
From an Olympic champion making crêpes, a missing budgie, and a Whitaker winning the Nations Cup and King George for the second year in a row... Read all about our favourite moments from this year's Agria Royal International Horse Show!
View from the Press Office: June 2024
After a fantastic Al Shira'aa Hickstead Derby Meeting, our press officer Victoria Goff reflects on some of the standout moments from the show
Things you (probably) didn’t know about the Al Shira’aa Derby
We take a look through the archives to bring you some lesser-known facts about our most famous class
15 outstanding moments from the Royal International
Hickstead's Press Officer Victoria Goff takes a look back at some of the best moments from last month's Royal International Horse Show
Young guns
They are two of the best under-25 riders in the world, and last year they stood first and second in the King George V Gold Cup. Victoria Goff caught up with Gilles Thomas and Harry Charles
Quick as a Flash
Victoria Goff spoke to Gemma Stevens, last year's winner of the Ashby Underwriting Eventers' Challenge
A view from the Press Office: June 2023
Hickstead's Press Officer Victoria Goff takes a look at some of the standout moments from the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting
Showing's standout moments from 2022
We take a look back at the best moments from the show ring at the 2022 Royal International Horse Show
Home turf
Shane Breen chats to Victoria Goff about finally winning the Al Shira'aa Derby, after nearly 20 years of trying
An Olympic ambition
Victoria Goff visits Al Shira'aa Farms, to find out more about their journey in showjumping.
Career change
It's been nearly two decades since the first RoR showing championship took place at Hickstead. Victoria Goff finds out more about transforming former racehorses into showing stars
In his prime
He's been one of the most consistent horses in the history of the Hickstead Derby - Victoria Goff finds out more about Harriet Biddick's remarkable horse A Touch Imperious
An outright victory
Clear rounds are a rarity in the Hickstead Derby, and often the class is won by a single first round clear. Victoria Goff takes a look back through the roll of honour
Hickstead's Christmas 2022 countdown
We count down our best moments from a brilliant year here at the All England Jumping Course
10 best moments from this year's Royal International
This year’s Longines Royal International Horse Show was a cracker – and wasn’t it wonderful to have five-star showjumping back at Hickstead where it belongs? Hickstead's Press Officer Victoria Goff picks out her top 10 moments from this year’s show.
The view from the Press Office - June 2022
Hickstead's Press Officer Victoria Goff reflects on a fabulous week at the Al Shira'aa Hickstead Derby Meeting.
Superb Swedes
Victoria Goff reflects on the current strength and depth of the Swedish showjumping team
Thirty glorious years
Hickstead's Press Officer Victoria Goff looks back over three brilliant decades of the Longines Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead
Magical moments from the Royal International
We choose some of the best moments from the past 30 years since the Longines Royal International Horse Show moved to Hickstead
Doney’s legacy
We pay tribute to Jon Doney, a highly-respected FEI official and an important part of Hickstead's team for many years
Doing the double
Only a select band of riders have won the British Jumping Derby and the British Speed Derby - Victoria Goff reveals which famous equestrians hold the honour of winning both
Teenage Dreams
In 2019, 19-year-old Michael Pender became the youngest ever rider to win the Hickstead Derby. Victoria Goff sat down to chat with him about his win
The Hickstead Derby in numbers
In 2022 we’ll see the 60th running of the Al Shira’aa Derby, one of the most iconic classes in showjumping. We take a look back over the decades at the Hickstead Derby in numbers.
60 facts about the Hickstead Derby
How well do you know the history of the famous Al Shira'aa Derby?
The 60th Hickstead Derby
The 60th Al Shira'aa Derby takes place in June 2022. Victoria Goff looks back on the history of Hickstead's most famous class
Harriet Nuttall Q&A
Showjumper Harriet Nuttall has an extraordinary record at Hickstead, having won the Science Supplements Speed Derby twice, the Science Supplements BHS Queen Elizabeth II Cup and the Science Supplements All England Grand Prix - plus finishing runner-up three times in the Al Shira'aa Derby. Alex Irwin caught up with her to find out more about what makes her tick.
Holly Smith Q&A
Alex Irwin caught up with Hickstead star Holly Smith at the Science Supplements All England Jumping Championships
The unstoppable Irish
Victoria Goff looks back at Ireland's stunning win in the 2018 Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup of Great Britain, and goes back into the history books to remember the other memorable Irish wins at Hickstead
William’s fabulous four
William Funnell joined the elite band of four-time winners of the Hickstead Derby last summer. Victoria Goff spoke to him about what it means to join the likes of Harvey Smith, Eddie Macken and brothers John and Michael Whitaker.
Top Speed
We take a look back over the history of the British Speed Derby.
By Victoria Goff
Five of the best
Five riders share the record of having four wins in the Hickstead Derby. Victoria Goff takes a look through the archives to relive these legendary performances.
Coming of age
A few days before his 21st birthday, James Whitaker scored his first major Hickstead win. Victoria Goff caught up with him ahead of the 2019 Longines Royal International Horse Show.
A Platinum President
The BHS President Martin Clunes is a regular visitor to Hickstead. Victoria Goff finds out more about his role at the British Horse Society, and why he loves coming to our shows
10 magical showing moments
We take a look back over some of the standout showing moments from the 2017 season
Perfect Timing
Paul Tapner talks to Hickstead Press Officer Victoria Goff about his first win in the MS Amlin Eventers' Challenge
Miss Consistent
Harriet Nuttall proved she's no Hickstead bridesmaid, when adding yet another major title to her CV last summer. Victoria Goff caught up with the reigning Queen Elizabeth II Cup winner
Fiesta Time
Brazil had an extraordinary run of form at last year's Longines Royal International Horse Show. Victoria Goff finds out more.
Worth the wait
Victoria Goff describes the wait Nigel Coupe had before he finally become the Al Shira'aa Derby Champion in 2017.
Doing it for Ella
Hickstead's press officer Victoria Goff caught up with Matthew Sampson, the winner of the Bunn Leisure Speed Derby
Race against time
Victoria Goff takes a look back at some of the famous Hickstead Derby jump-offs that have taken place over the years.
A New Era
Victoria Goff finds out more about Al Shira'aa, the title sponsors of the Hickstead Derby
12 moments we loved at this year’s Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting
The Al Shira’aa Derby drew our June fixture to a close, and what a way to round off four fabulous sunny days of showjumping and showing. We take a look back at some of the best moments of this year’s show.
#RoadToHickstead contenders reveal...
We ask some of our leading Al Shira'aa Derby contenders some killer questions.
Harriet and Nigel go head-to-head
Two of the main Al Shira'aa Hickstead Derby contenders, Harriet Nuttall and Nigel Coupe, discuss this year's challenge.
Hickstead Q&A - Hamad Ali Al Kirbi
UAE rider Hamad Ali Al Kirbi made his Hickstead debut last summer when he competed at the Al Shira'aa Hickstead Derby Meeting. We caught up with him ahead of this year's show.
Can you spot our Mystery Guests?
We're very busy preparing the International Arena ahead of this year's Al Shira'aa Hickstead Derby Meeting CSI4*, and with spring being somewhat late to arrive this year we've had to ask some special guests to join our Ground Crew!
Billy the King
Ireland's Billy Twomey enjoyed an amazing run of success at the 2016 BHS Royal International Horse Show, including a win in the Longines BHS King George V Gold Cup. Victoria Goff spoke to him about his golden run.
A home from home
Hickstead is very familiar stomping ground for David Simpson, the Queen Elizabeth II Cup winner in 2016. Victoria Goff spoke to him about winning on 'home territory'.
The One to Watch
In the run up to the 2017 Longines Royal International Horse Show, Hickstead Press Officer Victoria Goff caught up with Amlin Plus Eventers' Challenge winner Esib Power.
The nation's favourites
Earlier this year, we asked you to vote for your favourite Derby-winning horses. Victoria Spicer counts down your top 10.
An unforgettable Adventure
Adventure De Kannan is one of the most successful Hickstead horses of recent times. Victoria Goff looks back at the remarkable career of the one-eyed wonder horse
William Whitaker: How to win the Derby
The 2016 Hickstead Derby winner William Whitaker shares his winning formula!
William Whitaker: Advice for Hickstead newcomers
If you haven't ridden at the All England Jumping Course before, the 2016 Hickstead Derby champion William Whitaker shares his insights into competing here.
William Whitaker: The perfect warm-up
The current Hickstead Derby champion William Whitaker explains how to nail your warm-up routine, both at home and at competitions.
William Whitaker: Winning a jump-off
Want to nail those jump-off rounds? Hickstead Derby 2016 champion William Whitaker shares his advice, and suggests two training exercises to improve your performance against the clock.
William Whitaker's training secrets
In the run up to this year’s Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting, reigning Derby champion William Whitaker shares his showjumping training insights.
Words by Victoria Spicer, photos by Daisy Honeybunn
6 links between Hickstead and the Grand National
The home of British Showjumping and the most famous race on earth have more in common than you might think, writes Victoria Spicer...
A winning debut
Chloe Winchester, winner of the Templant Events Queen Elizabeth II Cup in 2015, chats to Victoria Spicer about her winning debut at Hickstead
Elizabeth the first
Last year Elizabeth 'Beezie' Madden became the first woman ever to win the Longines King George V Gold Cup. In 2015, she did it again. Hickstead's Press Officer Victoria Spicer caught up with America's first lady of showjumping.
12 moments we loved at this year's Derby meeting
There was rain, there was mud, but much more importantly there was some brilliant competition at this year's Equestrian.com Hickstead Derby Meeting. We choose our top 12 moments from this year's show.
Back on top
Hickstead Press Officer Victoria Spicer chats to the connections of Loughnatousa WB, a horse who holds a very special record in the Derby...
Three in a row
Journalist Andrew Baldock takes a look back over the Hickstead archives at the three riders who have won the Derby three times in succession - and finds out which other riders came close...
A cool guy
Victoria Spicer chats to Guy Williams, the winner of the 2015 British Speed Derby, about setting records and why Hickstead will always be special to him
Eight great Derby rivalries
There have been some amazing clashes in the 56 years of the Hickstead Derby. Pippa Cuckson takes a look at some of the great rivalries over the years...
Breen’s Derby dream comes true
Hickstead's Press Officer Victoria Spicer chats to the 2014 winner of the Equestrian.com Derby, Trevor Breen.
Five Minutes with Fran Callan
Continuing our new Five Minutes With... series, we caught up with Fran Callan, the head travelling groom for Trevor Breen. As part of her job, she looks after Hickstead megastar and reigning Equestrian.com Derby winner Adventure De Kannan...
Miller's tale
Victoria Spicer meets Phillip Miller, winner of the 2013 Hickstead Derby, to talk about his rise from riding school lessons to Hickstead champion.
A lesson with Derby winner Phillip Miller
When we ran an exclusive Hickstead Derby Community competition to win a lesson with the 2013 Derby winner Phillip Miller, we had a great response. In the end, we selected 25-year-old Jodine Brooks from Kent and her seven-year-old Dutch gelding, Camorasun.
15 facts about the Derby course
From poles that 'twang', resident newts and motorway fences turned into showjumps, Victoria Spicer investigates 15 things that you might not know about the most famous course in British showjumping...
Five minutes with Phillip Miller
Her latest victim in the 'Five Minutes With Series…', Daisy sits down with natural born comedian and Hickstead Derby superstar, 2013 winner Phillip Miller…
Five minutes with Bob Ellis
Daisy Bunn is back in the interviewer's chair this week with Hickstead's very own Bob The Buider, world renowned, Olympic course builder Bob Ellis...
10 iconic Derby moments
Last seen disappearing into our dusky archives, Hickstead Press Officer and journalist Victoria Goff has put together a review of 10 of our most iconic Derby moments over the years
Five Minutes with Steve Wilde
Continuing our new Five Minutes With... interview series, Hickstead Director Daisy Bunn sits down with Hickstead's 'golden tonsils', commentator and Director of Ceremonies Steve Wilde...
Five minutes with Daisy Bunn
As part of a new series, exclusively for our HDC members, Hickstead Director Daisy Bunn is going to catch key members of the Hickstead team for mini 5 minute interviews, to give our members a unique, behind-the-scenes take on everything Hickstead. Who better to start with than Daisy herself!
The best of the best
Equestrian journalist Charlotte Ricca-Smith asks Hickstead Derby winners to name the performance - apart from their own! - that impressed them most.
A Hickstead first
In 2013, Paul Beecher became the first person to produce a clear round having been drawn first to go in the Hickstead Derby, then go on to win the class. Victoria Spicer spoke to him about his achievement.
A National treasure
Harvey Smith is the only man to have won both the Hickstead Derby and trained a Grand National winner. Victoria Spicer reflects on his remarkable achievement.
Olympic heroes
Did you know that three out of the four showjumping gold medallists from London 2012 are past winners of the Hickstead Derby? Victoria Spicer catches up with them to find out what those wins meant.
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