Hickstead’s Royal International Horse Show has been named the world’s best showjumping competition.
The West Sussex show was handed the title by the Horse International year book, L’Année Hippique.
The show took a massive 40% of the vote ahead of CHIO Aachen (19%) and the FEI World Equestrian Games (11%).
Hickstead directors Edward and Lizzie Bunn accepted the award from Inge Van Der Net from L’Année Hippique during a presentation at the London International Horse Show at Olympia last week (19 December).
“We’re delighted to accept this award,” said Lizzie Bunn, whose father Douglas founded the All England Jumping Course in 1960.
“It’s an incredible honour, especially considering the calibre of the second and third placed events.
“We very much hope that this international recognition will encourage more overseas visitors to attend the show next summer.
“Britain is flying high with Scott Brash as world number one, and Hickstead as the world’s best showjumping event.”
The venue is host to one of only three CHIO five-star events in the world, alongside Aachen in Germany and Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
The Longines Royal International Horse Show boasts the only Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup leg held in Britain and the show concludes the Longines King George V Gold Cup — which has a €200,000 prize fund. It also hosts the Queen Elizabeth II Gold Cup and the British Speed Classic.
As well as showjumping the show also hosts top class showing.
The Royal International celebrated its centenary in 2007 — making it one of the oldest horse shows in the world.
Next year’s Longines Royal International Horse Show will run from 28 July to 2 August.
For more information visit: www.hickstead.co.uk
