Luxury hotel stay up for grabs on Ladies’ Day at Hickstead

Ladies’ Day winners at the Longines Royal International Horse Show 2014 (c) Samantha Lamb

Hickstead visitors are encouraged to wear their best hat or fascinator for the chance to win a two-night break at a luxury five star hotel during Ladies Day, held on the Saturday of the Longines Royal International Horse Show (28 July – 2 August).
 

A team of selectors will be roaming the showground seeking out Hickstead’s best dressed guests, with the top 10 invited into the famous International Arena for the final judging. The overall winner will receive a two-night stay for two people in the glamorous Alexander House Hotel in West Sussex, including dinner on the first night, afternoon tea on the second day, a 25-minute spa treatment per person and full use of the spa facilities, plus a magnum of Champagne Moutard.
 
The first runner-up wins an overnight stay at Ockenden Manor Hotel & Spa, with dinner for two and plus a 1 hour spa treatment each; while the second runner-up will get to enjoy an eight-course dinner at the Michelin-starred Pass Restaurant at South Lodge Hotel. All of the 10 finalists will also receive a bouquet of flowers.
 
This year’s Ladies’ Day event will be held in aid of the Mark Davies’ Injured Riders’ Fund, Hickstead’s chosen charity of the year. Mark Davies was an event rider who died as a result of an accident at Burghley in 1988. His parents, Jane and her late husband Michael, decided to establish The Fund in Mark’s memory, to help riders who have been involved in a riding fall or an accident around horses.
 
As well as helping to raise money for a very good cause and having the chance to win some amazing prizes, those who dress up for the occasion will also be admitted into the dedicated Ladies’ Day Enclosure, which has its own private bar and unparalleled views of the action in the main arena. Tickets for this enclosure cost just £36 per guest, with the option of booking lunch in the adjacent Ringside Restaurant at a special reduced rate of an additional £46.50.
 
Saturday’s feature class is the Templant Events Queen Elizabeth II Cup, a championship open to the leading national showjumpers. Other international showjumping classes include the Bunn Leisure Salver and the British Speed Classic. Among the showing highlights on Ladies’ Day are the Alexanders Horseboxes Supreme Hack Championship and the Stennett Family Small Hunter Championship.
 
A visit to Hickstead makes the perfect day out for all of the family. As well as a total of nine arenas boasting non-stop equestrian action, there is the huge Charles Owen Shopping Village, a children’s fun fair, all manner of food stalls and dozens of bars and restaurants. A number of hospitality options are available, from Ringside Boxes to the Members’ Restaurant, or visitors are welcome to bring their own picnic and make the most of the glorious West Sussex countryside.
 
For timetables, tickets or hospitality options, visit www.hickstead.co.uk.