The Longines Royal International Horse Show got underway on Tuesday and continues until Sunday afternoon, when it reaches its crescendo in the form of the Longines King George V Gold Cup. And one rider certainly has his eye on the main prize - Irishman Trevor Breen.
Trevor has an extraordinary record at Hickstead, having won the Equestrian.com Derby two years running, as well as winning the Amlin Plus Eventing Grand Prix and the Templant Events Queen Elizabeth II Cup, the British Speed Derby (twice) and the All England Grand Prix. In fact, he has won each of Hickstead's feature classes except one - and he'll be going all out to rectify that on Sunday with the one-eyed wonder horse, Adventure De Kannan.
"If 'Addy' won the King George, that would be the final piece of the puzzle, wouldn’t it?” says Trevor. "I’d love to have a crack at it as it’s the only big title I’ve not won here."
Trevor and his brother Shane Breen, who is based at Hickstead, are the only Irish riders competing in the international classes at this year's show, as Ireland has not fielded a team for Friday's Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup of Great Britain.
The national showjumping classes continue tomorrow, with a host of Winter championships reaching their conclusion in the International Arena.
Thursday sees the start of the international action, with the highlight of the day being the Amlin Plus Eventers' Challenge. Friday's focus is the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup, while Saturday afternoon Hickstead will host the Templant Events Queen Elizabeth II Cup.
The show also features hundreds of showing classes, culminating in the British Horse Society Supreme Horse and the Underwood Supreme Pony championships.
Tickets are available online and at the gate throughout the show.