The historic Longines Royal International Horse Show is at Hickstead this weekend

Indeed, the Royal International, taking place from July 26-30, is now more than 100 years old, making it one of the most venerable horse shows on the planet (Hickstead began hosting the event in 1992). Today, it offers €493,800 in total prize money to riders, as well as five historic trophies, including the golden King George V Trophy for the winner of Sunday’s 1.60m Longines King George V Gold Cup Grand Prix.

While €200,000 in prize money is up for grabs in the Gold Cup Grand Prix, the King George trophy itself is priceless. As organizers describe, “in 1939, the last year the show was held before the outbreak of the Second World War, it was won by Italian rider Conte Alessandro Bettoni-Cazzago. The trophy remained on Italian soil throughout the war – the Conte was said to be so concerned about the welfare of the trophy that he had it buried in the grounds of his villa. It was retrieved after the war and returned to Britain, and has never left these shores since.”

Another highlight of the competition will be Friday’s €200,000 FEI Nations Cup of Great Britain, the second-to-last qualifier for Europe Division 1 as national teams aim for a spot in the Nations Cup Final in Barcelona at the end of September. 10 countries are expected to take part in Hickstead’s CSIO5* Nations Cup qualifier. And the countries eligible to earn Nations Cup qualifying points are: France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and Ireland. Spain is currently eighth of eight teams in the Division 1 standings, but will qualify automatically for Barcelona as host nation. At the All England Jumping Course, host Great Britain (in Europe Division 2) will also participtate in the qualifier, alongside Brazil, Mexico, and the United States. 

For a detailed list of horses and riders in England this week, see here.