Easy methods to leap across the Hickstead Derby course

It’s a singular problem of talent, means and bravado, so what does it take to trip spherical Hickstead’s well-known Derby fences? 2022 winner Shane Breen guides us spherical forward of this 12 months’s renewal, which takes place on Sunday 22 June

Because the grasp of Hickstead Douglas Bunn held the primary Hickstead Derby in 1961, the category has attracted a succession of the world’s main athletes and horses able to bravely deal with its infamous fences, from the fiendishly tough Satan’s Dyke to the world famend 10ft 6in Financial institution.

Clear rounds are remarkably exhausting to attain, so what does it take? The 2022 winner of the Hickstead Derby Shane Breen shares his perception.

“There’s nothing fairly like trotting into the Worldwide Enviornment at Hickstead to compete on this particular class,” says Shane, who received the Hickstead Derby with the only clear on Can Ya Makan three years in the past.

“Lots of the skilled horses rise to the event, however when the group applauds it’s pure for them to get a bit anxious – they understand it’s present time. From a rider’s perspective, you’re subsequently making an attempt to get them settled and relaxed earlier than the bell rings so that you can begin.”

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Easy methods to trip the Hickstead Derby, fence by fence

Fence 1: The Cornishman (4ft 8in/1.42m)

“Horses don’t usually spook at a fence like this; even Hickstead Derby newcomers can have jumped an analogous brick wall. By no means dismiss it although – one 12 months John Ledingham and Kilbaha did a humorous slip coming into it within the jump-off and knocked the country pole off the highest. You’ll be able to’t take something with no consideration across the Hickstead Derby.”

Fence 2: white oxer (4ft 3in/1.30m excessive and 6ft 6in/1.98m large)

“You must steer across the Irish financial institution to get to this oxer of white poles, so the horses don’t see it till fairly late. It’s not that top however it is vitally large, so you possibly can’t simply waltz not far away under-paced and anticipate them to clear it. Some horses can get a bit excessive over it as a result of they’re not used to seeing Christmas bushes in a leap like that, however once more it’s Derby day so folks have schooled and ready – the course hasn’t modified for 60 years so you are able to do your homework.”

Fence 3a and b: double of water ditches (5ft/1.52m and 5ft 2in/1.57m)

“These are all about straightness, the strategy and good rhythm. The fences are very tall and if it’s a sunny day you may get glare off the water beneath, so with that, the blue of the water and the white rails, you do should focus to see the poles. The bottom is operating downhill, so it’s essential hold your leg on however sit tall.

“You land and also you’ve one stride earlier than the second impediment, which is strictly like the primary however even larger. They’re a bit like leaping two triple bars as a result of from take-off to clearing the highest rail is such a stretch. It is advisable to meet the primary fence on a very good stride with good tempo so the second comes straightforward – miss it and the second feels twice as huge and large!”

Fence 4: black gate (5ft 3in/1.60m)

“The Hickstead Derby’s time allowed is beneficiant, however virtually everybody turns contained in the balustrade to get to the gate since you’re giving your self a bit of additional time if it’s essential be affected person in a while, on the Financial institution, say. So that you swing left, then you definately hold straight earlier than you do a pleasant flying change to the proper. The gate is most peak and falls simply, so it takes precision, but it surely’s additionally positioned beside the pond, which doesn’t appear to present the horses any issues but it surely’s all the way down to the rider to get a pleasant rhythm, very balanced and a very good stride. You not often see gates in leaping tracks these days but it surely does leap properly.”

Fence 5: wall (5ft 3in/1.60m)

“Equally the wall is among the tallest on the right track, with an arch beneath, however very not often do you see a horse take a brick off. The fence is lighter than years earlier than when it was chunkier and wider.”

Fence 6: privet hedge oxer (4ft 11in/1.50m excessive and 6ft 6in/1.98m large)

“It’s large and people poles are about 16 ft lengthy, which is outstanding. You’re coming away from the in-gate, so once more it’s essential be certain that your rhythm is right and also you’re on a very good stride to make it straightforward for the horse to clear it – there’s nonetheless an extended approach to go, so that you don’t need them having to overexert themselves at this stage.”

Fence 7a and b: highway leap (5ft/1.52m and 5ft 2in/1.57m)

“You’re drawn right here properly on a line from the hedge and once more the poles listed below are so lengthy that each horse appears to hit it within the center. You leap onto the upper floor, then there are three strides throughout the highest earlier than you leap out, and you’ll actually really feel the drop.”

Fence 8: Derby financial institution (3ft 5in/1.04m rail adopted by 10ft 6in/3.20m drop)

“You’ve a little bit of time now to repair your hat or give your horse a reassuring pat on the neck. You’re in your personal little world, however you possibly can really feel the hush of the group ready to see the way you’ll execute the Financial institution. You canter up and ideally you simply pop over the fence on the high to present you time to regular up earlier than the drop – the fence is small as compared with every little thing else, but it surely’s nonetheless sufficiently big, particularly located up there, to warrant respect.

“Clearly you received’t have schooled over a financial institution with these sort of dimensions however everyone can have ready down a financial institution of some description since you need your horse to be actually assured in order that while you’ve come to a standstill on the high, there’s no threat of them stepping again, and even placing an excessive amount of stress on and taking place too fast.

“When he makes the preliminary descent together with his entrance legs, he ought to know to softly observe on till midway down earlier than he pops off the facet of it. I’ve ridden it the identical approach yearly – pop the fence, regular up, speak to the horse, allow them to do their factor.”

Fence 9: white rails (5ft 3in/1.60m)

“It doesn’t all the time go easily, in fact, however the excellent descent permits you two very good regular strides to the rails, that are tall. When you’re clear over them, it’s a really welcome spherical of applause! However it’s important to block that out as a result of that is the place it’s essential steer your route fastidiously to the Satan’s Dyke.”

Fence 10a, b and c: Satan’s Dyke (4ft 9in/1.45m, 4ft 9in/1.45m and 4ft 8in/1.42m)

“Opinion is split right here, some go to the left of the highway leap, some go to the proper however steer clear of the crowds, however in the previous few years I’ve come to the proper of the highway leap and cantered all the best way up alongside the rail. I attempt to go far sufficient alongside that once I come off the fence, I’ve 4 strides.

“Horses are inclined to drift proper by means of the Dyke due to the camber, so I leap the opening fence barely left of centre, so that they’ll hit the b half within the center, hoping they’ll solely be barely proper of centre for the c ingredient. It’s additionally fairly a steep drop from take-off to touchdown over fence a, which catches the horse’s eye, taking their consideration away from the pole and that’s when you possibly can have a fault. It truly is a mixture like no different.”

Fence 11: open water (15ft/5.6m large)

“By this level, horses have had two out-of-the-ordinary experiences with the Financial institution and Satan’s Dyke so it’s time for you each to take a deep breath, particularly when you’re nonetheless clear. There’s a 3m rise in gradient from the underside of the world to the Grasp’s Field, so that you’re travelling uphill at this level so that you don’t wish to set off on the water too early.

“I discover you’re higher off to stand up the hill, then while you flip for the water, choose up the gap you need and kick on! Water jumps may cause horses to spook and wobble in regular leaping courses, however curiously within the Derby the water doesn’t appear to trigger any hassle.”

Fence 12: Derby rails (5ft 3in/1.60m)

“After the water you’ve 10 or 11 strides to the very tall Derby rails – most individuals appear to leap it on the proper hand facet of its 5 sections as a result of it’s then a good sufficient flip again to the dry ditch.”

Fence 13: dry ditch (5ft 1in/1.55m excessive, 6ft /1.8m large ditch)

“Dimension-wise, that is fairly just like fence three, the double of water ditches – it’s fairly a stretch but when the horses are assured about leaping the dry ditch, they usually clear it properly.”

Fence 14: balustrades (5ft 3in/1.60m)

“Seven or eight strides later – which is solely all the way down to the rider’s discretion and I’ve achieved each, however eight strides is my choice because it retains you extra balanced – the balustrades usually leap properly. Nonetheless, you’re travelling downhill once more and if the horses are getting a bit drained, they will land over the dry ditch on their forehand.”

Fence 15a and b: double of gates (4ft 10in/1.47m and second ingredient 5ft 6in/1.68m large)

“You’re turning left-handed to return up the world, so that you wish to attempt to get a drained horse properly collected, with good energy within the hindlegs, to leap the primary gate, then it’s one stride and a stretch over the second gate with a pole out the again. It’s large, and horses are inclined to again off the gates, so it’s fairly an effort for a horse who has made a whole lot of effort already within the final 85 seconds!”

Fence 16: rustic oxer (4ft 10in/1.47m excessive, 6ft 6in/1.98m large)

“I wouldn’t go searching on the time right here, however relying in your horse or whether or not you’ve had a delay earlier on, you would possibly examine it as you attain the house straight. It takes time to get to the ultimate huge, brown oxer with Christmas bushes within the center, since you’re coming around the water leap, making it simpler to search out your line.

“There are 4 sections and it’s fairly lengthy, which is nice as a result of it means you possibly can trip at it a bit – however you additionally should hold your cool and trip it prefer it’s fence two, not such as you’re about to win the Derby! It ain’t over until the fats woman sings and that huge oxer requires your full consideration. Your horse has helped you over the earlier 15 fences and also you’re a partnership so don’t let your guard down right here – it’s your flip to assist him and assist the horse leap it.

“Riders have a tendency to select one of many uprights to goal at as a result of the poles are flush with the uprights, which inspires a horse to leap a bit greater. When you land and also you’re clear, there’s an ideal cheer from the packed stands – there actually isn’t any higher feeling.”

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H&H showjumping editor

Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her position as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the globe reporting from reveals and interviewing riders, connections and people concerned behind the scenes. Since becoming a member of H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on each topic throughout the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to secure administration — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She additionally has first-hand expertise of working within the equestrian business as a driving teacher and yard supervisor.