Jessica Burke set to defend Grand Prix title

Jessica Burke was the winner of the All England Grand Prix in 2023 (c) Boots and Hooves Photography

Ireland’s Jessica Burke has enjoyed an excellent season at Hickstead, including wins in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup at the Agria Royal International Horse Show and the Seven Year Old title at this month’s British Young Horse Championships.

Now she is set to return to the showground for the All England September Tour (28 August – 1 September and 4 – 8 September), in the hope of retaining the feature All England Grand Prix title that she won 12 months ago.

The show, which was first held in 2011 and expanded to become a two-week tour in 2021, includes two 1.40m qualifiers in both weeks, plus a championship – the ClipMyHorse.TV Sussex Cup in week one and the All England Grand Prix, which brings week two to a close.

The Tour also includes classes from 90cm upwards, with age championship classes for young horses, plus unaffiliated arena eventing on the final day. Top riders entered at this year’s event include William and Pippa Funnell, Gemma Stevens, Harriet Biddick, Phillip Miller, Angelie von Essen, Shane Breen and David Simpson.

Admission and parking is free for spectators throughout the show, giving showjumping fans the opportunity to watch some of the best national talents compete in a relaxed setting. A small selection of tradestands will be on site, as well as a range of bars and eateries.

For those looking for their next potential equine star, there will be two Breen Equestrian Auction showcase events on the Polo Arena followed by live music on the evenings of Saturday 31 August and Thursday 5 September, with the Auction taking place in the gardens of Hickstead Place on Saturday 7 September.

The action from the International Arena will also be livestreamed on Hickstead.TV and ClipMyHorse.TV. 

Press release Hickstead