Shane Breen and Can Ya Makan win the Hickstead Derby in 2022. Photo courtesy of the All-England Jumping Course at Hickstead.
This week plays host to one of the most iconic classes in equestrian sport: the Hickstead Derby, which has been running over an unchanged course since the 1960s, and features legendary obstacles that are steeped in history, including the Derby Bank, the Devil’s Dyke, and more. Every few years or so, we see an intrepid eventer or two taking on the challenge, and this year, we’ve got an extraordinary three of them riding throughout the week to gain qualification for the main event through the trial classes. Those are Gemma Stevens (neé Tattersall), who has a brilliant catch ride in Shirley Light’s Dime Bar, and German superstars Kai Rüder and Sandra Auffarth, the latter of which has picked up some serious mileage over the Hamburg Derby track, which was the inspiration for this class some sixty years ago. We’re buzzing to see how they all go — and bring you all the news of their rides, too — but in the meantime, get in the spirit of the thing with this collection of videos, showcasing the specific set of skills required for Derby success.
First up, here’s a video of Sandra’s round at the Hamburg Derby five years ago:
And another, showing how she schools her horses to prepare them for the challenge of that Derby Bank and vertical fence combo:
Here’s a clip of Gemma Stevens schooling over some frankly colossal fences in preparation for this weekend – that wall!
Here’s a cool throwback video of showjumper Nick Skelton and Apollo logging a clear round at Hickstead back in 1990:
And finally, some insights into riding the Bank and the Devil’s Dyke from reigning champ Shane Breen and his brother, former winner Trevor.
Go Eventing – or Showjumping – or whatever this mad class counts as!
