The Equestrian.com Hickstead Derby Meeting is just weeks away, and this year one showjumping fan could be presenting the famous Boomerang Trophy to the winner.
VIP treatment
To be in with a chance to hand over the coveted prize you need to buy the official sponsor’s polo shirt, which makes you a member of a the Hicksted Derby Community. This new enterprise is the brainchild of Equestrian.com – the competition’s new sponsor.
The shirt comes with a free members’ ticket for Thursday 26 June, which can be upgraded to a hospitality area overlooking the international arena. Members will also receive an e-newsletter, with exclusive discounts, offers and competitions, including the chance to present the Boomerang Trophy, a VIP weekend at Hickstead and a Derby course walk.
The Hickstead Derby ran without a title sponsor in 2013, after Carpetright withdrew its sponsorship of the class.
“This year marks the 54th anniversary of the first Hickstead Derby, and more than five decades later it remains as popular as ever,” says Hickstead director Lizzie Bunn. “We hope Hickstead’s supporters will really get behind this year’s Equestrian.com Derby and be part of its legacy.”
Iconic fences
The Equestrian.com Derby is the flagship class at the All England Jumping Course meeting in June, with a total prize fund of £115,000. Held since 1961, it features some of the most iconic fences in showjumping, including one of the widest water jumps in the world, the tricky Devil’s Dyke and the 10ft 6in drop of the Derby bank.
Former winners include British showjumping legends Harvey Smith, David Broome and Eddie Macken, who won it four years in a row with Boomerang back in the seventies – hence the name of the trophy.
Michael Whitaker has also won the class on four occasions, while recent Team GB gold medallists Nick Skelton, Peter Charles and William Funnell have each won the Derby three times.
Dream come true
Last year’s winners was Phillip Miller from Hertfordshire, riding Caritiar Z. He hopes to be back this year to defend his title.
“Winning the Derby has been an incredible boost to my career – every rider dreams of competing in the Derby so to win it is even more special,” said Phillip.
In order to qualify for the Derby riders need to place in the top 35 in the Dunn Leisure Derby Trial on Friday 27 June.
Saturday’s main event is the British Speed Derby, where horses and riders tackle Hickstead’s permanent obstacles at speed – including the Irish bank and the less steep side of the Derby Bank.
Shopping and showing
Alongside the international classes, are a range of national classes for grassroots riders and young horses. There are also showing and driving classes, plus a celebrity donkey derby and a high-goal polo match on the Saturday evening.
Hickstead is always the place to go for some serious retail therapy, with hundreds of tradestands selling everything from fashion to food and riding boots to bridles. There’s also a fairground, to help keep children entertained.
More more information or to buy tickets visit Hickstead’s website.