New Science Supplements ‘staycation’ tour at Hickstead

Our popular September national championships will run over two weeks this season.

The Science Supplements All England September Tour will take place from the 1-5 and the 8-12 September, giving riders the chance to stay and compete here at Hickstead for two consecutive weeks. Increased prize money will make it one of the UK’s most lucrative national showjumping championships, with a total prize fund of more than £70,000 on offer.

In spring and autumn, many showjumpers travel to Europe to compete on ‘sunshine tours’, where one venue will host competitions over a number of consecutive weeks. But an increasing number of British venues are offering such tours, encouraging riders to stay in the UK to compete and avoid the high costs of travelling abroad.

“We felt there was a real demand for a short tour in Britain, and it made sense to expand our hugely popular September show to run across two weeks,” says Hickstead Director Lizzie Bunn.

The prize fund for the Science Supplements All England September Tour has been given a significant boost, thanks to the title sponsors. The first week of the show will conclude with the Science Supplements Trophy, a 1.40m Grand Prix with a £6,000 prize fund; while the second week finishes with the Science Supplements 1.40m Grand Prix. This class will have a £9,000 prize fund with £3,000 to the winner, plus qualification for the first three prize winners for the Science Supplements Queen Elizabeth II Cup 2022.

In addition, Science Supplements have created the “Science Supplements Grand Slam” with a total bonus prize fund of £10,000 for combinations that can win their respective classes in both weeks of the Championship, including amateur classes.

“Hickstead is without doubt the most iconic showjumping venue in the UK and we should be encouraging our best horses and riders to compete on home soil. In addition, it is vital to support the grassroots of our sport and I am delighted to further extend our sponsorship for amateur riders,” said David Mitson, Group CEO of Science Supplements.

Al Shira’aa continue their sponsorship of the age championships across the season with classes for four-, five-, six- and seven-year-olds scheduled for both weeks.  A nomination to one of the Al Shira’aa stallions – Tsunami de Hus, SS Pegasus or Kratos FH – will be awarded to the highest placed mare in the Al Shira’aa Five, Six and Seven Year Old Championships.

“Our national show has always attracted thousands of entries, and we hope this new two-week format will encourage even more riders to make the journey to West Sussex to compete here at Hickstead. We will be offering a discount for people who book stabling for both weeks, plus we plan to have various trail rides and arenas open for schooling during the two-day hiatus from competition,” Lizzie adds.

Entries will open in early summer.