Hickstead
Encyclopedia
The All England Jumping Course at Hickstead, known widely as Hickstead is an equestrian sport centre in West Sussex
, England
, principally known for its showjumping activities, where it hosts two international level competitions, the British Jumping Derby
and the Royal International Horse Show
. The course was the first permanent showground for equestrian sport in the country.
The venue has more recently expanded its operations to include other equestrian sports including dressage
and arena polo
as well as hosting functions and conferences all year round.
It is located adjacent to the hamlet of Hickstead
, to the west of Burgess Hill
and next to the main A23 road
from London
to Brighton
.
, a multi-millionaire former barrister who made his money running a caravan business. Bunn purchased a site known as Hickstead Place with the intention of creating a facility to match those in the United States and continental Europe. The venue opened in 1960. It now has six arenas, permanent seating for over 5,000 spectators and 26 corporate hospitality suites. It has hosted the 1965 Ladies World Championships
, the 1974 World Championships
and several European Show Jumping Championships
.
A highlight of the meeting is the British Jumping Derby, a 1,195-metre course with tricky jumps, including the aptly named Devil's Dyke – three fences in short succession with a water-filled ditch in the middle and the difficult Derby Bank, a jump with 3 in 5 in (1.04 m) rails on top and a 10 in 6 in (3.2 m) slope down the front.
and consists of both showing
and showjumping events. The event is held during July each year.
arena and dressage programme known as Dressage at Hickstead. In 1998 it hosted Junior and Young Rider European Dressage Championships.
2006 saw the creation of the All England Polo Club. Arena (winter) Polo is played on a 100m x 50m purpose built all weather arena
West Sussex
West Sussex is a county in the south of England, bordering onto East Sussex , Hampshire and Surrey. The county of Sussex has been divided into East and West since the 12th century, and obtained separate county councils in 1888, but it remained a single ceremonial county until 1974 and the coming...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, principally known for its showjumping activities, where it hosts two international level competitions, the British Jumping Derby
British Jumping Derby
The British Jumping Derby meeting or informally the Hickstead Derby, is an annual showjumping event held since 1962 at the All England Jumping Course at Hickstead in June every year, and is considered one of the premier events in the equestrian calendar...
and the Royal International Horse Show
Royal International Horse Show
The Royal International Horse Show is the official horse show of the British Horse Society and consists of both showing and showjumping events. The event is held during July each year at the All England Jumping Course at Hickstead...
. The course was the first permanent showground for equestrian sport in the country.
The venue has more recently expanded its operations to include other equestrian sports including dressage
Dressage
Dressage is a competitive equestrian sport, defined by the International Equestrian Federation as "the highest expression of horse training." Competitions are held at all levels from amateur to the World Equestrian Games...
and arena polo
Arena polo
Arena polo is a variant of polo, and it is played either outdoor on an enclosed all-weather surface or on an indoor arena. Hurlingham Polo Association and US Polo Association have established their own rules for arena polo, and these rules are often used also in other countries.Arena polo is...
as well as hosting functions and conferences all year round.
It is located adjacent to the hamlet of Hickstead
Hickstead, West Sussex
Hickstead is a hamlet in the Mid Sussex District of West Sussex, England. It lies on the A23 road 2.7 miles west of Burgess Hill.The hamlet is famous as the location of the All England Jumping Course at Hickstead, a short distance to the south....
, to the west of Burgess Hill
Burgess Hill
Burgess Hill is a civil parish and a town primarily located in the Mid Sussex district of West Sussex, England, close to the border with East Sussex, on the edge of the South Downs National Park...
and next to the main A23 road
A23 road
The A23 road is a major road in the United Kingdom between London and Brighton, East Sussex. It became an arterial route following the construction of Westminster Bridge in 1750 and the consequent improvement of roads leading to the bridge south of the river by the Turnpike Trusts...
from London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
to Brighton
Brighton
Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...
.
History
The All England Jumping venue was opened by Douglas BunnDouglas Bunn
Douglas Bunn was a British barrister, businessman and founder and chairman of the All England Jumping Course at Hickstead....
, a multi-millionaire former barrister who made his money running a caravan business. Bunn purchased a site known as Hickstead Place with the intention of creating a facility to match those in the United States and continental Europe. The venue opened in 1960. It now has six arenas, permanent seating for over 5,000 spectators and 26 corporate hospitality suites. It has hosted the 1965 Ladies World Championships
Show Jumping World Championships
The Show Jumping World Championships, or the show jumping competition at the FEI World Equestrian Games, was started in 1953, with individual competition. In 1978 Team competitions began, and men and women began competing against one another. From 1990, show jumping was brought together along with...
, the 1974 World Championships
Show Jumping World Championships
The Show Jumping World Championships, or the show jumping competition at the FEI World Equestrian Games, was started in 1953, with individual competition. In 1978 Team competitions began, and men and women began competing against one another. From 1990, show jumping was brought together along with...
and several European Show Jumping Championships
European Show Jumping Championships
The FEI European Show Jumping Championships is the European Championship for the equestrian discipline of show jumping. Like most other European Championships, it is held every two years. Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals are awarded in both the individual and team competition...
.
British Jumping Derby
This four-day, action-packed event attracts 20,000 spectators a year, who come to watch the skill, bravery and precision of the national and international show jumpers competing for coveted trophies (and substantial prize money).A highlight of the meeting is the British Jumping Derby, a 1,195-metre course with tricky jumps, including the aptly named Devil's Dyke – three fences in short succession with a water-filled ditch in the middle and the difficult Derby Bank, a jump with 3 in 5 in (1.04 m) rails on top and a 10 in 6 in (3.2 m) slope down the front.
The DFS British Jumping Derby is one of those events a bit like the
Grand National where its not just the runners and riders that make the
headlines but the course itself. Its an iconic showjumping contest, the
like of which you won't find anywhere else in the world, no other
course asks this much of a test of horse and rider and no other course
creates this type of drama.
—Clare Balding
Clare BaldingClare Balding is a BBC sports presenter, journalist and jockey.-Early life:In 1989 and 1990, Balding was a leading amateur flat jockey and Champion Lady Rider in 1990....
, BBC SportBBC SportBBC Sport is the sports division of the BBC. It became a fully dedicated division of the BBC in 2000. It incorporates programmes such as Match of the Day, Grandstand , Test Match Special, Ski Sunday, Rugby Special and coverage of Formula One motor racing, MotoGP and the Wimbledon Tennis...
Royal International Horse Show
The Royal International Horse Show is the official horse show of the British Horse SocietyBritish Horse Society
The British Horse Society is a membership-based equine charity, with a stated vision of "a society which provides a strong voice for horses and people and which spreads awareness through support, training and education"...
and consists of both showing
Horse show
A Horse show is a judged exhibition of horses and ponies. Many different horse breeds and equestrian disciplines hold competitions worldwide, from local to the international levels. Most horse shows run from one to three days, sometimes longer for major, all-breed events or national and...
and showjumping events. The event is held during July each year.
Other events
1993 saw the establishment of a dressageDressage
Dressage is a competitive equestrian sport, defined by the International Equestrian Federation as "the highest expression of horse training." Competitions are held at all levels from amateur to the World Equestrian Games...
arena and dressage programme known as Dressage at Hickstead. In 1998 it hosted Junior and Young Rider European Dressage Championships.
2006 saw the creation of the All England Polo Club. Arena (winter) Polo is played on a 100m x 50m purpose built all weather arena