Vicky tops the bill on Ladies' Day

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Vicky Prescott finished her week at Hickstead in style by taking the top prize in today’s Ladies’ Day competition, held in aid of the Mark Davies Injured Riders’ Fund.

Vicky has been coming to Hickstead for 25 years, and this year she took part in the coloured horse classes with her horse Royale Kristal. Although she didn’t pick up any placings on Tuesday, she more than made up for it today.

Having been selected as the overall winner by the guest judges, showjumpers Scott Brash and Jay Halim, Vicky won an overnight stay for two at the wonderful Alexander House Hotel & Utopia Spa. She plans to take her mum with her as a thank you for convincing her to enter Ladies' Day and for helping Vicky with her horse all week.

Wearing an elegant grey dress and a pink hat from a shop in her local town, Warrington, Vicky commented that her shoes were her favourite part of her outfit. As a keen racing fan, Vicky has been to Ladies' Day before at Aintree, but Hickstead is her first win in such a competition.

“I’ve just come running down the hill from the lorry park in my heels!” she explained afterwards.

Vicky’s father couldn’t believe that after all the years of trying to qualify for the International Arena at Hickstead, it was a dress that had finally got Vicky there and not a horse!

Completing the line-up were Jean Weston in second place and Melissa Newman who came in third. Jean won an overnight stay at the Ockenden Manor Hotel & Spa, while Melissa will get to enjoy an amazing eight-course dinner at the michelin-starred Pass Restaurant at South Lodge Hotel.

The top 10 finalists were joined in the arena by TV presenter Davina McCall and supermodel Jodie Kidd, who were both enjoying the top-class showjumping today at the Longines Royal International Horse Show.