Gareth Hughes to give dressage Masterclass at Hickstead

The I.C.E Horseboxes All England Dressage Festival is back at Hickstead for its fourth year (07-12 May 2024), with national classes back on the schedule along with a Masterclass by top rider Gareth Hughes.

Gareth was part of Britain’s gold medal-winning team at last summer’s FEI Dressage European Championships, and he was travelling reserve for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. He was the winner of the LeMieux Premier League FEI Grand Prix at the All England Dressage Festival in 2022, riding KK Woodstock, pictured. Gareth returns to Hickstead for this year’s show where he will give a special Masterclass on Saturday, during the interval for the international Grand Prix Freestyle.

Since it first took place at Hickstead in 2021, the I.C.E Horseboxes All England Dressage Festival has become one of the most important dressage competitions in the South East. It includes CDI (international) and CPEDI (international Para-dressage) classes alongside a Premier League competition. This year, national classes from Novice to Medium level have returned to the schedule, giving more riders the opportunity to compete at this famous showground.

The competition gets underway on Tuesday 7 May, with three days of Agria-sponsored international Para classes, as well as two days of national classes, before the start of the Premier League and young horse, pony and young rider classes from Friday onwards. The international action takes place on the Saturday and Sunday, with CDI classes for Pony, Junior, Children, Young Riders, Under-25s, Small Tour as well as Young Horse classes, and the all-important FEI Grand Prix, Grand Prix Freestyle and Grand Prix Special.

Admission and parking are free at this event, with a select number of tradestands and eateries open throughout the competition.

For more information and timetables, visit www.hickstead.co.uk

Important notice for competitors, officials and visitors travelling to the I.C.E Horseboxes All England Dressage Festival

Please note: Nationals Highways has confirmed that the M25 will be shut, both ways, between junctions 9 (A243 Leatherhead) and 10 (A3 Wisley) from 9pm Friday 10 May to 6am Monday 13 May 2024. Diversions will be in place, but heavy congestion and long delays are expected in and around the area.

Please follow this link to stay up to date with the upcoming M25 closure.