Gift horses go on to win big at Hickstead

Two horses that were originally bought as Christmas presents ended up winning championships today at the Agria Royal International Horse Show.

Jade Hateley’s prolifically successful 12-year-old gelding Cipriana has previously claimed the purebred Arabian titles at both Royal Windsor and Horse of the Year Show, but victory at the Royal International had eluded them until now.

“He’s been here before and he’s normally really naughty but he was a good boy today,” said Windsor-based Jade, whose mum bought the son of Mascot Des Alpes for her as a surprise Christmas present six years ago.

“I really wanted him to win HOYS but I think I wanted this win more for him, as I so wanted him to win all three, so when he was pulled top I thought - please go well!” she said.

Kaitlyn Fairhurst won the UKPH/Anthony Evans Insurance Young Riders Mountain & Moorland Supreme Championship, having been gifted her Welsh section D stallion Thorneyside Royal Command for Christmas last year.

“I rode him for a friend and then I started leasing him for my 18th birthday. Eventually my family gave in and bought him,” she said. “He was a surprise, I went out at Christmas and there he was in the stable.”

The liver chestnut by Thorneyside The Saracen has ‘more than lived up to expectations’ so far this season.

“It felt overwhelming to do that lap of honour in the main ring,” said Kaitlyn, who is based in Bolton. “I’ve had second, third, fourth and sixth here before but never a win.”

Jade and Kaitlyn also have one more thing in common — Kaitlyn is due to be Jade’s bridesmaid at her upcoming wedding to Jake Bermingham.

Reise Shakespeare made the most of his final season with Elizabeth Gribbin’s six-year-old Rosscon Copycat, claiming the Enablelink Supreme Show Hunter Pony Championship.

“It’s definitely what you’d call ending on a high,” said Reise, who will have to hand over the reins on the 15hh gelding at the end of the year, as the rider turns 20 in December. “This is an amazing arena and it’s the show to win.”

Reise has been riding the part-bred Connemara by Royal Storm for two seasons. “He came to us last year and sadly he’ll have to go somewhere else now but I’d have him back home with me if I could,” said Reise, who commutes to Team Jinks in Cheshire every weekend to ride the horse.

Tuesday saw a full day of BSPA Skewbald and Piebald classes, which started at 7.45am and concluded with the Indian Trail Ridden Championship at 5.45pm. The overall supreme honours went to top producer Jayne Ross and KBF Lucia, who secured their spot in Sunday’s Barberstown Castle Supreme Horse Championship.

KBF Lucia is a seven-year-old mare owned by Lucy Cameron and Diane Stennett. She is by the same stallion as KBF Crescendo, on whom Jayne won the same championship in both 2018 and 2022.

“She's won at Horse of the Year Show a couple of times now, but this is her first championship at Hickstead, which is really special. She's just the most charming horse, she just relishes being out and about, she loves people and loves her job,” said Jayne, who is based near High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire.

For full results click here. 

Tickets for the Agria Royal International Horse Show (24-28 July) can be bought online or at the gate. Watch the livestream at Hickstead.TV