Report from the Royal International Horse Show, Hickstead
A wonderful day on Saturday 27th July was had by F&I Association members, who each brought along a variety of friends and family. 22 in total, including three generations! Hickstead itself as a venue is iconic and had a sense of excitement when I first arrived, meeting up with our F&I Hon Secretary and our organiser for the day, Alison Craig, who accompanied us to the smartly-revamped BHS hospitality box. As it was early, there was time for some equine retail therapy, and don’t we all enjoy the bargains that can be found on show days! With the beautiful weather, teas and coffees, then champagne and nibbles, and with the backdrop of the International arena looking amazing, it was the perfect start of a lovely day with like-minded F&I friends.
The first class we watched was the Class 218 CSIO5* : Table A. 50 horses jumped with 11 going through to the jump off. Big names included Jo Stockdale, Will Funnell and a few from the Whitaker dynasty – William & Jack. The quality and suppleness of the horses was inspiring to observe and our conversations both positive and informative – talk around lines, length of strides, balance, bitting and course design was combined with experience of jumping in the arena, horse breeding and general knowledge. And of course catching up with old friends!
Next in the International arena was the Miniature Horse supreme championships with 15 in the line-up. They were gorgeous and moved so well, with their characters showing and correct conformation. We also saw Hacks and Hunter classes – it is always enjoyable to admire the professional showmanship of the riders and spot the likely winners.
As we sat down for lunch, Jillie Rogers called us to attention for a minute’s silence and held up a photograph of the late Linda Haworth. Linda worked for the BHS for 40+ years in Education, dedicating her working life and career to the equestrian industry, and had looked after us all at some point. Many in the room had known Linda well and felt a personal loss, and stories were shared about a very lovely lady who had been taken too early.
Whilst we tucked into a fantastic buffet lunch with wine flowing, the Double Harness Scurry championship was being held. The speed that the ponies went around the banks, fences and water jump was phenomenal and galloping through narrow cones without touching them was a display of skill, accuracy, and self-confidence.
The icing on the cake was that William Fletcher gave us a showjumping course walk masterclass for the big class of the day, the Queen Elizabeth II Cup. The ground was immaculate, and the jumps were clearly now bigger, wider, and cleverly related to each other. The course included the water and some really interesting lines, and generally looked like a full-up championship course. (Several of us agreed this must be the case – our test being that even if the top rails were all removed we still wouldn’t jump it…) Will was charming, articulate and answered all our questions, including his thoughts on how to ride the water jump, the influence it had on the fences before and after, and knowing your horse when preparing and riding the related distances and turns. By the time he’d finished with us we were ready to give it a go! He was obviously busy riding in many classes that day but gave us his full attention and was generous with his time before running off with a big smile. What a privilege!
28 riders came forward and we had a chance to have a flutter, which added a bit of fun. I had my money on Shane Breen, but it wasn’t his day. Gemma Stevens (nee Tattersalls) was a name we recognised as an eventer/showjumper and jumped beautifully and placed. Poles were falling throughout the course and it was interesting to have informed knowledge, benefitting from our course walk. Jessica Burke was a worthy winner, being both bold and accurate on a beautifully schooled 14yo gelding.
Afternoon tea then miraculously appeared – it was definitely a tough life! A late-afternoon speed class then took over the arena for those who could stay on – there was so much to watch, and several stayed on till 6pm, setting the world to rights. How lucky are we to have the opportunity to learn, listen and observe, thanks to the F&I Association and the generosity of the BHS. Thank you to the F&I team organising, to the BHS, and to our Hickstead Hospitality team looking after us, for a truly gorgeous day. And if anyone is thinking about attending, I would give the day a 5* review in all areas!
Report by Victoria Gallantree BHSI