{{Short description|Annual showjumping event in West Sussex, England}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} thumb|Hickstead Derby in 2009 thumb|The grounds in 1996 The '''British Jumping Derby meeting''' – known for sponsorship reasons as the '''Al Shira'aa Hickstead Derby Meeting''' – is an annual showjumping event held since 1961 at the Hickstead in June every year. It is considered one of the premier events in the equestrian calendar.<ref name=Debretts/><ref>{{cite web|publisher=Equestrian Shows|title=DFS British Jumping Derby|url=http://www.equestrianshow.co.uk/2009/09/horse-shows-dfs-british-jumping-derby.html|date=2009-09-19}}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|publisher=The Daily Telegraph|title=Sport 2010: compete month-by month calendar for the year ahead|last=Parry-Crooke|first=Simon|date=2009-12-31|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/sport-preview-of-the-year/6911083/Sport-2010-complete-month-by-month-calendar-for-the-year-ahead.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|publisher=BBC Grandstand|title=Preview:Hickstead Derby|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tv_and_radio/grandstand/3153949.stm|date=2003-09-15}}</ref>
A highlight of the meeting is the Al Shira'aa Derby, a 1,195-metre course with tricky jumps including the aptly named Devil's Dyke – three fences in short succession with a water-filled ditch in the middle and the difficult Derby Bank, a jump with 3 ft 5in rails on top and a 10 ft 6in slope down the front.<ref name=Debretts>{{cite web|publisher=Debretts|title=The DFS British Jumping Derby, Hickstead|url=http://www.debretts.com/social-season/dfs-jumping-derby-hickstead.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100904175810/http://www.debretts.com/social-season/dfs-jumping-derby-hickstead.aspx|archive-date=2010-09-04}}</ref><ref name=HH>{{cite news|publisher=Horse and Hound|title=Facing the Hickstead Derby course|date=2006-06-28|url=https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/competitionnews/386/87646.html}}</ref>
{{cquote|The British Jumping Derby is one of those events a bit like the Grand National where it's not just the runners and riders that make the headlines but the course itself. It's an iconic showjumping contest, the like of which you won't find anywhere else in the world, no other course asks this much of a test of horse and rider and no other course creates this type of drama. |4=Clare Balding |5=''BBC Sport''<ref>{{cite web|title=All England Jumping Course, Hickstead|publisher=South East England Development Agency|url=http://www.visitsoutheastengland.com/site/things-to-do/all-england-jumping-course-hickstead-p378821}}{{Dead link|date=May 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|publisher=All England Jumping Course at Hickstead|title=British Jumping Derby Meeting|url=http://www.hickstead.co.uk/shows/shows-bjdm-1.php|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100202083105/http://www.hickstead.co.uk/shows/shows-bjdm-1.php|archive-date=2010-02-02}}</ref>}}
The course is known for its challenging nature that has changed little since its inception. As of 2022, there were only 64 clear rounds since the event's start in 1961.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Showjumping |first=www worldofshowjumping com, World of |title=Epic Hickstead Derby battles |url=https://www.worldofshowjumping.com/All-other-events/Epic-Hickstead-Derby-battles.html |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=www.worldofshowjumping.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Derby fences== The main arena is used for a number of classes throughout the meeting (and at the Royal International Horse Show amongst others), but the main Derby class always follows the same class, consisting of the following fences of 21 jumping efforts:<ref name=HH/>
{| class="wikitable" |- ! Fence name ! Height ! Width ! Notes |- |1. '''The Cornishman''' |{{convert|4|ft|8|in|m|abbr=on}} | |Solid stone wall with a pole |- |2. '''white oxer''' |{{convert|4|ft|3|in|m|abbr=on}} |{{convert|6|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on}} | |- |3. a.& b. '''double water ditches''' |{{convert|5|ft|m|abbr=on}} & {{convert|5|ft|2|in|m|abbr=on}} | | |- |4. '''black gate''' |{{convert|5|ft|3|in|m|abbr=on}} | |maximum height fence for the course, upright and falls easily |- |5. '''wall''' |{{convert|5|ft|3|in|m|abbr=on}} | | |- |6. '''privet hedge oxer''' |{{convert|4|ft|11|in|m|abbr=on}} |{{convert|6|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on}} | |- |7. a. & b. '''road jump''' |{{convert|5|ft|m|abbr=on}} and {{convert|5|ft|2|in|m|abbr=on}} | |table fence with no exit except over jumps |- |8. '''Derby Bank''' |{{convert|10|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on}} drop with {{convert|3|ft|5|in|m|abbr=on}} high fence before | |iconic obstacle of the course. fence 16 ft {{Clarify|date=August 2013|reason=Should this be '16 strides' or something else?}} from main drop which horses must slide down |- |9. '''white rails''' |{{convert|5|ft|3|in|m|abbr=on}} | |two strides from bottom of bank |- |10. a., b. & c. '''Devil's Dyke''' |{{convert|4|ft|9|in|m|abbr=on}}, {{convert|4|ft|9|in|m|abbr=on}}, {{convert|4|ft|8|in|m|abbr=on}} | |closed obstacle, but sloping ground increases apparent fence height to near {{convert|6|ft|m|abbr=on}} |- |11. '''open water''' | |{{convert|15|ft|m|abbr=on}} | |- |12. '''Derby rails''' |{{convert|5|ft|3|in|m|abbr=on}} | | |- |13. '''open ditch''' |{{convert|5|ft|1|in|m|abbr=on}} |{{convert|6|ft|m|abbr=on}} | |- |14. '''balustrades''' |{{convert|5|ft|3|in|m|abbr=on}} | | |- |15. a. & b. '''double of gates''' |{{convert|4|ft|10|in|m|abbr=on}}, {{convert|4|ft|10|in|m|abbr=on}} |{{convert|5|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on}} |- |16. '''rustic spread''' |{{convert|4|ft|10|in|abbr=on}} |{{convert|6|ft|6|in|abbr=on}} | |}
==Results== The results of the main British Jumping Derby class at the show are as follows: {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Rider ! Country ! Horse !Ref |- |1961 |Seamus Hayes |{{flag|IRL}} |Goodbye III |<ref name=sr>{{cite web|publisher=Sports Records|title=Show Jumping – Major Shows|url=http://www.sportsrecords.co.uk/equestrian/equestrian8x.htm|access-date=1 February 2010|archive-date=28 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028145108/https://sportsrecords.co.uk/equestrian/equestrian8x.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- |1962 | Pat Smythe | {{flag|GBR}} |Flanagan |<ref name=sr/> |- |1963 | Nelson Pessoa |{{flag|BRA}} |Gran Geste |<ref name=sr/> |- |1964 | Seamus Hayes |{{flag|IRL}} |Goodbye III |<ref name=sr/> |- |1965 | Nelson Pessoa | {{flag|BRA}} |Gran Geste |<ref name=sr/> |- |1966 | David Broome | {{flag|GBR}} | Mister Softee |<ref name=sr/> |- |1967 | Marion Coakes | {{flag|GBR}} | Stroller |<ref name=sr/> |- |1968 | Alison Westwood | {{flag|GBR}} | The Maverick III |<ref name=sr/> |- |1969 | Anneli Drummond-Hay | {{flag|GBR}} | Xanthos II |<ref name=sr/> |- |1970 | Harvey Smith | {{flag|GBR}} |Mattie Brown |<ref name=sr/> |- |1971 | Harvey Smith | {{flag|GBR}} |Mattie Brown |<ref name=sr/> |- |1972 |Hendrik Snoek |{{flag|GER}} |Shirokko |<ref name=sr/> |- |1973 | Alison Dawes (Westwood) | {{flag|GBR}} | Mr. Banbury |<ref name=sr/> |- |1974 | Harvey Smith |{{flag|GBR}} | Salvador |<ref name=sr/> |- |1975 | Paul Darragh |{{flag|IRL}} |Pele |<ref name=sr/> |- |1976 | Eddie Macken |{{flag|IRL}} |Boomerang |<ref name=sr/> |- |1977 | Eddie Macken |{{flag|IRL}} |Boomerang |<ref name=sr/> |- |1978 | Eddie Macken |{{flag|IRL}} |Boomerang |<ref name=sr/> |- |1979 | Eddie Macken |{{flag|IRL}} |Boomerang |<ref name=sr/> |- |1980 | Michael Whitaker | {{flag|GBR}} |Owen Gregory |<ref name=sr/> |- |1981 | Harvey Smith | {{flag|GBR}} |Sanyo Video |<ref name=sr/> |- |1982 | Paul Schockemöhle | {{flag|GER}} |Deister |<ref name=sr/> |- |1983 | John Whitaker | {{flag|GBR}} |Ryan's Son |<ref name=sr/> |- |1984 | John Ledingham |{{flag|IRL}} |Gabhran |<ref name=sr/> |- |1985 | Paul Schockemöhle |{{flag|GER}} |Lorenzo |<ref name=sr/> |- |1986 | Paul Schockemöhle |{{flag|GER}} |Deister |<ref name=sr/> |- |1987 | Nick Skelton | {{flag|GBR}} |J Nick |<ref name=sr/> |- |1988 | Nick Skelton | {{flag|GBR}} |Apollo |<ref name=sr/> |- |1989 | Nick Skelton | {{flag|GBR}} |Apollo |<ref name=sr/> |- |1990 | Jozsef Turi |{{flag|GBR}} |Vital |<ref name=sr/> |- |1991 | Michael Whitaker | {{flag|GBR}} |Monsanta |<ref name=sr/> |- |1992 | Michael Whitaker | {{flag|GBR}} |Monsanta |<ref name=sr/> |- |1993 | Michael Whitaker | {{flag|GBR}} |Monsanta |<ref name=sr/> |- |1994 | John Ledingham | {{flag|IRL}} |Kilbaha |<ref name=sr/> |- |1995 | John Ledingham |{{flag|IRL}} |Kilbaha |<ref name=sr/> |- |1996 | Nelson Pessoa |{{flag|BRA}} |Loro Piana Vivaldi |<ref name=sr/> |- |1997 | John Popely | {{flag|GBR}} |Bluebird |<ref name=sr/> |- |1998 | John Whitaker | {{flag|GBR}} |Gammon |<ref name=sr/> |- |1999 | Rob Hoekstra | {{flag|GBR}} |Lionel II |<ref name=sr/> |- |2000 | John Whitaker | {{flag|GBR}} |Welham |<ref name=sr/> |- |2001 | Peter Charles | {{flag|IRL}} |Corrada |<ref name=sr/> |- |2002 | Peter Charles |{{flag|IRL}} |Corrada |<ref name=sr/> |- |2003 | Peter Charles |{{flag|IRL}} |Corrada |<ref name=sr/> |- |2004 |John Whitaker | {{flag|GBR}} |Buddy Bunn |<ref name=sr/> |- |2005 | Ben Maher | {{flag|GBR}} |Alfredo II |<ref name=sr/> |- |2006 | William Funnell | {{flag|GBR}} |Cortaflex Mondriaan |<ref name=sr/> |- |2007 | Geoff Billington | {{flag|GBR}} |Cassabachus |<ref name=sr/> |- |2008 | William Funnell | {{flag|GBR}} |Cortaflex Mondriaan |<ref name=sr/> |- |2009 | William Funnell | {{flag|GBR}} |Cortaflex Mondriaan |<ref name=sr/> |- |2010 | Guy Williams | {{flag|GBR}} |Skip Two Ramiro |<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://events.scg-nl.nl/2010/hickstead/results/019-res.htm# |title=result 2010 British Jumping Derby |access-date=2010-06-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306020030/http://events.scg-nl.nl/2010/hickstead/results/019-res.htm# |archive-date=2012-03-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |- |2011 | Tina Fletcher | {{flag|GBR}} |Promised Land | <ref>https://results.scgvisual.com/2011/hickstead/r19.html result 2011 British Jumping Derby</ref> |- |2012 | Paul Beecher | {{flag|IRL}} |Loughnatousa WB |<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/competitionnews/390/313104.html |title=Paul Beecher proves unbeatable in Hickstead Derby - Horse & Hound |access-date=2012-06-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120629033807/http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/competitionnews/390/313104.html |archive-date=2012-06-29 }} result 2012 British Jumping Derby</ref> |- |2013 | Phillip Miller | {{flag|GBR}} |Caritiar Z |<ref>https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/features/phillip-miller-meet-hickstead-derby-winner result 2013 British Jumping Derby</ref> |- |2014 | Trevor Breen | {{flag|IRL}} |Adventure De Kannan |<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://hickstead.co.uk/news/news-from-2014.aspx |title=News from 2014 |access-date=2015-04-09 |archive-date=2015-06-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602051302/http://www.hickstead.co.uk/news/news-from-2014.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Trevor Breen Wins Hickstead Derby - The Official Website of British Showjumping |url=https://www.britishshowjumping.co.uk/news/trevor-breen-wins-hickstead-derby |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=www.britishshowjumping.co.uk}}</ref> |- |2015 | Trevor Breen |{{flag|IRL}} |Loughnatousa W B |<ref name=sr/> |- |2016 | William Whitaker | {{flag|GBR}} | Glenavadra Brilliant |<ref name=sr/><ref>{{Cite web |last=IJRC |first=www ijrc org |title=WILLIAM BECOMES THE THIRD WHITAKER TO WIN THE DERBY AT HICKSTEAD |url=https://www.ijrc.org/en/News-results/WILLIAM-BECOMES-THE-THIRD-WHITAKER-TO-WIN-THE-DERBY-AT-HICKSTEAD.html |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=www.ijrc.org |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |2017 | Nigel Coupe | {{flag|GBR}} | Golvers Hill |<ref name=sr/> |- |2018 |William Funnell | {{flag|GBR}} |Billy Buckingham |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hickstead.co.uk/news/2018/william-funnell-joins-hickstead-record-holders/|title=William Funnell joins Hickstead record holders|website=www.hickstead.co.uk|language=EN|access-date=2018-06-25}}</ref> |- |2019 |Michael Pender |{{flag|IRL}} |Hearton Du Bois |<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theirishfield.ie/show-jumping-michael-pender-becomes-youngest-ever-winner-of-the-hickstead-derby-473917/|title=SHOW JUMPING: Michael Pender becomes youngest ever winner of the Hickstead Derby|last=Field|first=The Irish|website=www.theirishfield.ie|language=en|access-date=2019-08-01}}</ref> |- ||2022 | Shane Breen | {{flag|IRL}} | Z7 Canya Makan |<ref name=sr/> |- |2023 |David Simpson |{{flag|IRL}} |Pjotr Van De Kruishoeve |<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Hickstead |url=https://www.hickstead.co.uk/roll-of-honour/ |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=www.hickstead.com |language=EN}}</ref> |- |2024 |William Funnell |{{flag|GBR}} |Dublon |<ref name=":1" /> |} In 2019, Michael Pender became the youngest ever winner of the Hickstead Derby, taking the title from Marion Coakes when she won the Derby in 1967 on Stroller.<ref name=":0" /> Four riders have won the Hickstead Derby four times apiece - Eddie Macken, Harvey Smith, John Whitaker, and Michael Whitaker. In 2024 William Funnell became the first rider to win the event five times.<ref name=":1" /> In 2020 and 2021, the Hickstead Derby did not run because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
== Incidents ==
* 1972 – Chamusca Lad, ridden by Ann Backhouse was euthanized after falling on landing from the Derby Bank.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2004-06-07 |title=Hickstead: Tragedy overshadows Whitaker's win |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/5093002.hickstead-tragedy-overshadows-whitakers-win/ |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=The Argus |language=en}}</ref> * 1987 – Ryan's Son, the 1983 winner of the competition, fell during his round on the course. The fall did not initially appear serious, and the horse walked back to the stabling area where he collapsed and died.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-12-11 |title=Showjumping Legend: Ryan's Son |url=https://www.hay-net.co.uk/showjumping-legend-ryans-son/ |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=Haynet |language=en-GB}}</ref> * 2004 – GG Barock was euthanized after breaking a rear leg while landing from the Derby Bank.<ref name=":2" /> After the incident, event organizers made changes to the Derby Bank to make the obstacle more friendly to equine competitors.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Horse & Hound |date=2005-06-15 |title=Hickstead makes changes to Derby Bank |url=https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/showjumping/hickstead-makes-changes-to-derby-bank-64915 |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=Horse & Hound |language=en}}</ref> * 2018 – Navalo de Poheton, ridden by Andrew Kocher (USA) broke a leg while competing in the Derby and was fatally injured. It was the horse's last competition before retirement.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Showjumping |first=www worldofshowjumping com, World of |title=Farewell to Andrew Kocher’s Navalo De Poheton |url=https://www.worldofshowjumping.com/en/News/Farewell-to-Andrew-Kocher-s-Navalo-De-Poheton.html |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=www.worldofshowjumping.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-06-25 |title=Farewell to Navalo de Poheton, the Eighteen Thousand Dollar Champion |url=https://noellefloyd.com/blogs/sport/farewell-to-navalo-de-poheton-the-eighteen-thousand-dollar-champion |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=NOËLLE FLOYD |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-06-25 |title=Horse who died at Hickstead was due to retire after the Derby |url=https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/hickstead-derby-horse-death-navalo-de-poheton-657328 |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=Horse & Hound |language=en}}</ref>
==Sponsorship== thumb|Previous sponsor Silk Cut {{Unreferenced section|date=December 2024}} Title sponsors in recent years have included furniture retailer DFS, floor and bed furnishing retailer carpetright and online retailer [https://web.archive.org/web/20170611230141/http://equestrian.com/ Equestrian.com]. The current title sponsors are Al Shira'aa, who have signed a three-year deal as title sponsor of the event, now known as the Al Shira'aa Hickstead Derby meeting.
== See also ==
* All England Jumping Course at Hickstead * Royal International Horse Show
==External links== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20100202083105/http://www.hickstead.co.uk/shows/shows-bjdm-1.php Official British Jumping Derby website]
==References== {{Reflist}}
Category:Show jumping events Category:Equestrian sports in the United Kingdom Category:Equestrian sports in England Category:1962 establishments in the United Kingdom Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1962