HORSE lovers from the two counties will be heading south next week for five days of great horsemanship at this year's Royal International Horse Show.

Set in the fabulous grounds of the All England Jumping Course at Ardingly, Sussex, there are six arenas on most days, all of which promise high-octane excitement.

These include the main arena where international and amateur riders will have the chance to prove themselves and their horses.

One of the special qualities of the Royal International, the flagship event of the British Horse Society, is the sheer variety of equestrian disciplines represented.

From the Eventing Grand Prix to Townfields Saddlers Supreme Working Hunter Championships, alongside the Osborne Refrigerators Double Harness Scurry Championship and the Hassroeder's Queen Elizabeth II Cup, there are classes to appeal to everyone.

And there is always plenty of first class shopping at more than 150 stands in the shopping village.

Pippa Funnell, double European eventing champion, two-time Badminton winner and a strong contender for next year's Olympic squad will be back at the RIHS with a score to settle.

She is a three-time winner of the crowd-pulling Eventing Grand Prix, but last year had to settle for third place and watch Andrew Nicholson raise the trophy on behalf of New Zealand.

This year, she is likely to be partnered once again by Anne Burnett's horse, Tourmaline Rose.

The competition, which incorporates the three elements of coloured show jumps, permanent obstacles and purpose-built cross country jumps, starts in the International Arena, leads out on to Hickstead owner Douglas Bunn's garden and then back into the arena.

Last year, overseas riders including Germany's Ludger Beerbaum, Holland's leading woman rider Angelique Hoorn and Ireland's new world champion Dermott Lennon won all the international classes.

They are expected to make return visits to fight for their titles, but the major international tussle will come in the Samsung Super League Nations Cup of Great Britain, with teams from Great Britain, Holland, France, Germany, Ireland, Sweden, Italy and Belgium competing.

All will be at Hickstead in search of a share in the 200,000 Swiss francs (worth around £85,000) prize money and crucial points towards a place in the final.

Overseas

"Showjumping classes generally will benefit from at least 35 international riders looking to compete outside the Nations Cup competition," explained Lizzie Bunn, the Hickstead show secretary.

"It will add an edge to classes where British riders will be aiming to overturn last year's dominance by overseas competitors."

British team manager Derek Ricketts will be looking for our squad to improve on last year's fourth place and satisfy the home fans for whom this is a rare chance to see the team in action.

Since it moved to Hickstead in 1992, the Royal International Horse Show, under the patronage of Her Majesty the Queen, has gone from strength to strength.

In the showing ring, coloured horses classes have been increased due to popular demand and our native breeds make a welcome return to the schedule.

This is the flagship of the British Horse Society and is the show where titles matter - the George V Gold Cup and the Queen Elizabeth 11 Cup are both highly sought after.

The event kicks off with the Hackney Pony Championship on Wednesday, July 23, and ends on Sunday, July 27, with the King George V Gold Cup.

For tickets ring the Hickstead Box Office on 01273 834 315.