Hickstead bosses reveal international diary for 2026

The Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting runs from June 18 to 21.

One of the standout showjumping classes in the global equestrian calendar takes place on Sunday 21 – the Al Shira’aa Derby.

It is the grand finale of the four-dayDerby Meeting, which features international and national showjumping classes alongside showing championships, scurry driving, and a whole host of family entertainment.

The Hickstead Derby first took place in 1961, and the course has barely changed in the years since, with iconic fences such as the Devil’s Dyke, the Open Water and the Derby Bank still remaining as much as a challenge as ever.

Last year, Robert Whitaker and Gentlemen VD Veldhof took the title, with Robert becoming the fourth member of the Whitaker family to lift the Boomerang Trophy.

Other showjumping highlights during this fixture include the Agria Derby Trial and the ClipMyHorse.TV Hickstead Master’s Trophy, which are both World Ranking classes, while the fast and furious British Speed Derby takes place on Saturday afternoon.

In the showing classes, riders will be aiming to pick up the final qualifying tickets for July’s Agria Royal International Horse Show, while the country’s finest ex-racehorses will compete for honours in the Tattersalls RoR Open Ridden Show Horse Championship.

The Agria Royal International Horse Show runs from July 21 to 26.

This is not just one of the mainstays of the Sussex social season, it is also one of the most historic and prestigious equestrian events in the world.

The sport’s best horses and riders will come forward for the Agria Nations Cup of Great Britain, a competition where teams of four riders from eight leading showjumping nations will contest the honours for the Edward, Prince of Wales Cup.

Last year Germany took the title, denying hosts Great Britain the chance of making it a hat-trick – find out who will be victorious in this year’s class on Friday, July 24.

In the Al Shira’aa King George V Gold Cup, which takes place on the Sunday afternoon, the Brits have enjoyed a spectacular run of success. Robert Whitaker and Vermento won last year’s class, regaining the trophy they first won in 2023, while European team gold medallists Donald Whitaker and Millfield Colette took the title in 2024. The Agria Royal International Horse Show also features popular classes such as the Ashby Underwriting Eventers’ Challenge on Thursday, which showcases the country’s top event riders, while the leading national talents compete for honours in the JCL Insurance Brokers Queen Elizabeth II Cup.

Hickstead’s July fixture is regarded as the peak of the summer showing season, with horses and ponies campaigned all over the country in order to compete at the show.

See www.hickstead.co.uk to book.

Other Hickstead dates:

The Hurst National Schools Jumping Championships – June 26

The Al Shira’aa British Young Horse Championships – August 13-16

The All England September Tour – September 2-6 and 9-13