First time at hickstead

C

cobalobM

Well-Known Member
Joined
13 April 2013
Messages
426
Visit site
going to hickstead tomorrow (to watch/shop!), anyone have any tips?! is the shopping normally good/discounted or should I just look and then buy online after. Alsois it worth getting seats in the public grandstand?
 
You'll love it its a brilliant day out, i''m going Sunday, there are bargains to be had and show deals just depends what you are shopping for i guess! Maybe google before you go on the things you might want to buy so you know what the online prices will be before you go then you'll know if its worth buying when you are at Hickstead. Have fun!
 
I'm going tomorrow on a Nag Mag freebie ticket. There are a lot of stalls which will no doubt be packed. Personally I haven't got what I call a bargain there for years. Online shopping has killed that. I as WBcrazy says if you have something you know you want check price online before you go - you might be lucky and it is a good opportunity to look at a wider range of brands in one place.

Both the open and covered stands are usually first come gets the seat - it is not separately ticketed and people cme and go throughout the day.
 
Don't expect to see any showjumping if you're only going for one day, lol! I'd never been before this year and went in June AND yesterday. Both times I saw a prizegiving ceremony and a couple of show classes in the main arena - that was it. Closest I got to seeing action was standing next to Tim Stockdale in the crowd. I did get a few bargains, but my advice is to look all round the shopping village before you buy anything. A couple of stands sell the same thing, at different prices. In one case, yesterday the price was HALF, a saving a a tenner for my friend. If you're a veggie, I'd take your own food. I thought the choices were poor if you weren't a meat person (I'm not veggie, but I do eat more veggie food - I react to some processed meats).

If you really want a seat in the grandstand, forget shopping on a big scale. The real fans will be there en masse, sending each other out for food. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the girls have those girlie urinal things and a bucket... ;)
 
Have a look at the schedule on Hickstead's website then you can see what is on when with timings and plan what you want to watch. Lots of decent jumping in the outside rings as well as obviously top class showing. You are free to wander round the outside rings and watch the warm up area. The big warm up arena even has a café at the side. The international warm up area is interesting to watch as well - just behind the entrance to the international arena. Don't know what forecast is but if hot take lots of sunscreen as you can bake in the uncovered public grandstand. You should have a very good time.
 
I’ve just come back from my Hickstead visit – was there yesterday which was jolly hot! I’m only approx. 10mins away!

Today I popped over to the dressage area (www.dressageathickstead.com) and saw Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro competiting and also Carl Hester and Uthopia plus Dane Rawlins and Sydney. Then watched some of the team jumping in the international ring this afternoon. Did shopping yesterday and then again today. It is always worth doing your homework first when shopping for certain items. You can get some bargains though.

It is always worth taking a large picnic. There are lots of stalls to buy food but they are generally expensive at these sort of places.

If you want a go on the Mechanical Horse – Albourne Equestrian Centre (RideUK or Rideit can’t remember which) tent has one which is located at the back of the free grandstand on the left side.

Yes – have a look at the timetable at www.hickstead.co.uk and work around shopping and watching etc. And word of advise – wear sensible shoes/boots. And ENJOY.
 
How did you not manage to see any show jumping? There are 2 big classes every day in the International Ring & jumping going on all day in the outside rings. There is a schedule on the Hickstead website with the timings of all the classes. You can also watch at both the international & national warmups.
 
I watched plently of showing and jumping on the outside rings. Walked the shopping areas twice yesterday and again today. Was luckly enough to park outside Ring 2 which is an added bonus.

I was given Members Enclosure tickets today which was great and managed to see the end of the Working Hunter Championships too. There is just so mush to see and do, but you just cannot be in all the places at once!
 
Last edited:
If your doing serious shopping its worth popping it all back to the car as its busy in the stands and lugging millions of bags is annoying. There's lots of parking and if you get there later it can be a trek but its worth doing. One of the feed stands does massive 5 kg tub of treats for £5. There's rings around the edge if you get bored of sj'ing.
 
Thanks guys, we are planning to get there at 11:30 ish, not that bothered about watching all the classes, just sort of there to shop and wonder around but might try and catch the big jumping classes! we are taking a picnic I think, didn't know you were aloud to watch the warmup's, will defo be doing that!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top