Hickstead Longines FEI jumping cup

[Tigersteeth]

Does anyone go to this? Any top tips for a novice visitor plus pony mad 7 year old?
Any opinions on which day would be best to go?

Hi Tiger,

This event is really called the Royal International Horse Show and runs at Hickstead from 24th to 29th July although competitions in the main arena are from 25th onwards.

The Longines FEI World Cup is the feature show jumping competition of the summer and is held on the Sunday afternoon.

We are regulars there (have been for 25+ years) and it is the summer highlight of the showing calendar. Our DD is riding there on both Saturday and Sunday in the show classes.

Have a look on the Hickstead website to see what is on in each ring each day to make sure they are running things that your DD will want to watch.

There is also some great (mostly equestrian) shopping to be done..

You can buy Member's badges if you want the best view and facilities but plenty of grandstands are included in the general entrance price.

Get there early and expect it to be a very long day if you want to get the most out of your experience.

Oh dear- just spent £ I don't have on buying a ticket for this following on from your post!!!

This is a well timed thread, I was wondering about going to this. I can go on the Saturday, which is advertising itself as ladies's day - does it matter if I go dressed casually? Will there be tickets and parking on the gate?

You should be able to get tickets and parking on the gate although we have exhibitors passes so not sure. Saturday isn't as popular as Sunday which is the main day. It is a very enjoyable day though and we can't wait. I know it's ladies day but never noticed any difference in attire. Maybe a few ladies in Members get dressed up for lunch but to be honest most horsey folk are in their casual wear.

Thank you Butkin.

Thank you Butkin, and good luck to your daughter! I'm so totally clueless about horsey stuff, but I'm working on it! In the rings, is it jumping they're doing, or more show stuff like Crufts?! Trotting round in a circle?

If you hop on the Hickstead website you will find the daily time table, there is both showing and jumping competitions on.

Good luck to all those competing there (we are very excited!) and have a great time if you are going along to watch.

Tigers as Baldrickswife says the daily time table is very good and you can buy a brochure when you get there to help you.

As a generalisation:

International Arena - this is the main arena you'll know with the Derby bank etc. All the best show jumping and showing championships take place in here.

Ring 2 - the next best show jumping

Ring 3 - the main show classes

Ring 4 (all weather) - lower level show jumping

Ring 5 - more showing including Working Hunter Pony

Roger Stack Ring - this the grass ring at the end of the show ground and is showing (usually for the younger children).

They aren't using the River Lawn anymore (beautiful ring but I'm not sad to see it's demise).

Are you local ?
Friday ad has tickets for fri,sat,sun , just pay £10 parking