EQUESTRIAN


Hickstead is regarded as the home of show jumping, with its unique arena and fences attracting large spectator numbers in a ‘normal’ year


A dry spring meant plenty of watering was needed, but by May, the new sward was coming on well


course together. Divot filling and repair work will have to be monitored; we supervise course repair contractors after racing, but need to work out how they will travel etc.” Andrew Cooper reflects: “The team are working hard and getting on well and we will be ready to race, but the timing of the Derby remains dependent on what happens next with the virus and, consequently, with the resumption of racing.”


Hickstead Edward and Lizzie Bunn


At Hickstead, the Bunn family has taken the difficult decision to cancel the Longines Royal International Horse Show, due to run 21-26 July, and the internationally-renowned Al Shira'aa Hickstead Derby Meeting, which had already been postponed from June to September.


Plans to run a smaller event, the Science Supplements All England Jumping


Championships in September, are continuing, although this will be reassessed on an ongoing basis.


The All England Jumping Course was first opened in 1960, and this season was due to celebrate its 60th anniversary.


Director Edward Bunn, responsible for the day-to-day running of the venue alongside his sister Lizzie, has taken a hands-on role in groundcare. “We’re coming to terms with having cancelled our two major shows, but recognise that running horse shows ‘behind closed doors’ in the way that is proposed for racing would not work. We have 3,500- 4,000 horses over the duration of the show and each is accompanied by an average of three people, so that’s 3,000 people per day, which would make social distancing impossible.” To accommodate the horses, 1,500 stables are brought in, another challenge for social distancing as the walkways between


them are just 4m wide. Other issues include pinch points around the site and the difficulty of judging horses without coming in close proximity with their riders, grooms or the stewards.


“Spectators are also key to the atmosphere of the event, as well as its finances, along with the trade stands. But the seriousness of the situation was brought home to us when one of our most senior show jumping judges recently died of coronavirus, and ultimately there is far more at stake than just horse shows.” That said, Hickstead’s famous turf continues to get the utmost in care, and the initial postponement of fixtures allowed Edward to carry out renovations to the main arena that have not been possible during the wet winter. “We’ve fraise mowed the surface, decompacted with an Earthquake and Verti- Drain, spread 180 tonnes of sand and reseeded,” he explains.


At Hickstead, initial postponement of major fixtures allowed the main arena to be renovated ...


112 PC June/July 2020


... contractors fraise mowed the surface, decompacted with an Earthquake and Verti-Drain, spread 180 tonnes of sand and reseeded


Hickstead is renowned for its unique obstacles


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