Showjumpers take tea with ‘The Queen’ at Hickstead

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Teams from the world’s top showjumping nations had afternoon tea by Royal appointment today when they met ‘The Queen’ in the grounds of Hickstead Place.

Showjumpers from Great Britain, Ireland, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Spain, Brazil, Germany and France posed for a regal photoshoot ahead of Friday’s FEI Nations Cup leg at Hickstead showground.

While Her Majesty The Queen, who is the official patron of this week’s Longines Royal International Horse Show, was not in attendance, the photoshoot did feature one of the Queens of British showjumping – Liz Edgar.

Liz hails from showjumping’s Royal family – she is the wife of top rider Ted Edgar, and the sister of David Broome, one of the most successful riders in the history of the sport. Both Ted and David were winners of the Longines King George V Gold Cup, which has formed the finale to Hickstead’s international season every year since 1992.

Liz Edgar was one of the country’s top women riders for many years, and has won Hickstead’s iconic Queen Elizabeth II Cup more times than anyone else with five titles to her name. She may not be the Queen of England but she’s certainly the Queen of Hickstead – and she has the corgis to prove it.

The FEI Nations Cup™ of Great Britain takes place on Friday afternoon at the Longines Royal International Horse Show (26-30 July). This historic team competition sees countries compete against each other for the Edward, Prince of Wales Trophy. The Hickstead leg is the penultimate qualifier in the series ahead of the Dublin Horse Show in August, before the final takes place in Barcelona at the end of September.

Great Britain is hoping for a win on home turf for the first time since 2010. Their team of riders includes three members of the famous Whitaker family - Michael, Robert and William.

Tickets are available online or on the gate, while viewers can also watch the action live on Sky Sports or FEI TV.