This week is The Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby (20-23 June, 2024), where some of showjumping’s biggest names will compete before packed crowds at The All England Jumping Course in West Sussex. There’s also plenty of showing to enjoy and scurry driving, plus lots of entertainment for the whole family.
Tickets are now on sale, but if you are unable to attend, or want to follow the action on days you aren’t visiting in person, there are ways to tune in remotely. Read on to find out how you can join in on the Hickstead fun from the comfort of your own home.
Where can I follow the action?
The Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting will be streamed throughout on ClipMyHorse.TV and Hickstead.TV.
The platforms will broadcast the event from the International Arena from Thursday onwards. Live streams and recordings will be available during and after the event. For optimal viewing, a reliable internet connection is required.
When watching live content, viewers can enlarge the size of the frame on their desktop, laptop or tablet, but to view via full screen, subscription to ClipMyHorseTV is required. A subscription costs from £13.75 a month or £129.95 annually, with a free 30-day trial.
Reigning champion ruled out of Derby
The leading contender for Sunday’s Derby has been ruled out of this year’s class. David Simpson will miss the event after his nine-year-old stallion Pjotr Van De Kruishoeve picked up a mild viral infection.
“It’s such bad timing, but welfare is paramount to me, and my horse has to come first,” said David. “I was so looking forward to trying to defend my title, but the Al Shira’aa Derby is a huge challenge – it’s twice as long as any other showjumping course, with 21 jumping efforts – so horses need to be at the peak of fitness.
“Pjotr Van De Kruishoeve is still a young horse, being only eight when he won the Derby last year, so he’ll hopefully be back for many more Derbies in the future.”
When David Simpson picked up his first Hickstead Derby title 12 months ago, he denied four-time champion William Funnell a record fifth win. David’s absence has given William’s chances of setting a new record a boost, with the Surrey rider now the favourite to lift the Boomerang Trophy.
Top contenders in showjumping and eventing
The reigning King George V Gold Cup winner Robert Whitaker brings two horses to Hickstead – Vermento will jump in the World Ranking classes, while 2023 Derby Trial winner Evert is a contender for the Derby itself.
Shane Breen brings forward two Hickstead Derby debutants for this year’s class – nine-year-old Fanfan De Beaufour and 12-year-old Nows The Time, a horse owned by former champion jockey AP McCoy and ridden by his daughter Eve.
It could also be the first year a female rider takes the title since Tina Fletcher won on Promised Land in 2011. Ellen Whitaker has high hopes for former eventer, Demi Louvo, while Sammie-Jo Coffin hopes to do even better than her seventh place in 2023 with Chaccomo Blue.
Olympic event rider Gemma Stevens is also hoping to build on her 2023 results, and finishing 12th with Envoy Merelsnest Z. Fellow event rider Mathies Rüder from Germany makes his Hickstead Derby debut with For Freedom EKT.
Other contenders include former world champion Dermott Lennon, the 2010 Hickstead Derby winner Guy Williams, and Joseph Clayton with Tim Gredley’s Gentlemen VH Veldhof.
Lead image by Boots and Hooves Photography
