Tickets on sale for Hickstead’s 2014 season
Tuesday 25 March 2014
 Samantha Lamb1.jpg "Tickets on sale for Hickstead’s 2014 season")
The All England Jumping Course Box Office is officially open, with tickets now on sale for the Equestrian.com Hickstead Derby Meeting (26-29 June) and the Longines Royal International Horse Show (29 July – 3 August).
This year, tickets will be made electronic for the first time. The new system is not only better for the environment, but will also reduce the risk of lost or stolen tickets, as well as allowing visitors to pre-book their tickets right up to the night before their visit.
“By introducing the e-ticketing, Hickstead has moved its box office into the 21st century,” said Hickstead director Edward Bunn. “It is an environmentally-sound solution as it cuts out the production and postage of tickets. The new eTicket can be printed or presented on a smart phone or tablet at the gate,” Edward adds.
There’s never been a better time to buy tickets for Hickstead’s two international shows. Britain’s showjumpers are currently experiencing a phenomenal run of success, with British riders Scott Brash and Ben Maher currently ranked number one and two in the world. Team GB won team gold at the London 2012 Olympics, followed by another team gold at the FEI European Jumping Championships in 2013. This summer, Britain will be gearing up to complete the set with gold at the World Equestrian Games in Normandy – and Hickstead provides the perfect opportunity to see some of these stars in actions in the run up to the Games.
The Equestrian.com Hickstead Derby Meeting has long been regarded as one of the most popular events in showjumping. A number of showjumping’s superstars have previously won the Derby and held the famous Boomerang trophy aloft, including recent Olympic and European gold medallists Nick Skelton, Peter Charles, Michael Whitaker, Ben Maher and William Funnell. Last year William came so close to joining the elite band of riders who have won the class four times, only to finish joint second with Trevor Breen behind the eventual victor, Phillip Miller and Caritiar Z, who jumped the only clear round of the day.
This year, fans will be able to get closer than ever to the action by joining the innovative Hickstead Derby Community. The new title sponsor of our June fixture, Equestrian.com has created a stunning Derby polo shirt that fans of the sport can purchase, automatically giving them membership to the Community. Members will then have access to a whole host of benefits and exclusive competitions.
Scott Brash, the Peeblesshire rider who is currently ranked number one in the world, made his Hickstead CSIO5* debut last summer when he competed at the Longines Royal International Horse Show (29 July – 3 August), jumping a double clear for Great Britain in the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™.
This year’s show could well be a vital prep run for many before the Alltech World Equestrian Games, which start just a few weeks later. Many of global showjumping’s best teams are set to take part in the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™, held on Friday 1 August, including Germany, Holland and Ireland. This thrilling competition is the only place to see the British team compete on home turf, and this year Team GB will be hoping for a good performance to boost their confidence before the world championships.
The Longines Royal International Horse Show, the official show of The British Horse Society, features jumping classes for every level from ponies, novices and grassroots riders, right up to the very pinnacle of the sport – the Longines King George V Gold Cup. Last year, Britain’s world number two Ben Maher won the class for the first time, riding his London 2012 Olympic partner Tripple X III.
In the showing world, the Longines Royal International Horse Show is regarded as the most important showing championships of the summer season. Thousands of horses and ponies around the country battle it out for a coveted qualifying ticket to come to Hickstead, and only the very best of the best will make it through to the ultimate finals - the British Horse Society Supreme Horse and the Underwood Supreme Pony Championships.
As well as boasting the best showjumpers and showing riders, Hickstead is proud to play host to the country’s top scurry drivers, carriage drivers, polo players and more. It also has one of the biggest and best shopping villages in the show circuit, with hundreds of tradestands selling everything from saddlery and fashion to food and gifts.
General admission tickets start from just £16 per adult and £8 for children, while a huge range of hospitality options are also available for those who want a perfect view of the International Arena. Visitors can choose from private boxes, ringside lodges, the exclusive 120-seater Members’ Restaurant, the al fresco Ringside Restaurant and the Beethoven Suite, found at the top of the Members’ Grandstand.
Annual Memberships will also provide visitors with Members’ Enclosure access to all shows at the All England Jumping Course, as well as a further 43 days of racing, high-goal polo and county cricket. The cost of an Annual Membership is £160 (£140 without a car).
To book tickets for the Equestrian.com Hickstead Derby Meeting and the Longines Royal International Horse Show go to www.hickstead.co.uk or call 01273 834315.
.jpg "Thrilling Weekend Kickstarts the STX-UK Pony British Novice Championship Second Round")
