Fence 1: The Cornishman (4ft 8in)
This solid stone wall with a pole on top looks easy, but it has caused plenty of mistakes

Fence 2: white oxer (4ft 3in high; 6ft 6in wide)
A very wide fence to meet so early on the course

Fence 3: double of water ditches (5ft and 5ft 2in high, both with ditches in front)
So many hopes have been dashed here. The water is dyed blue and the reflection makes the fences even more difficult when the sun comes out

Fence 4: black gate (5ft 3in)
A maximum-height, extremely upright fence that falls easily

Fence 5: wall (5ft 3in)
Also at maximum, but usually jumps well

Fence 6: privet hedge oxer (4ft 11in high; 6ft 6in wide)
Another wide fence jumped away from the entrance. It is better now the hedge has been trimmed, but some horses still try to bank it

Fence 7: road jump (a table fence 5ft high with a ditch behind and a 5ft 2in high exit with a ditch in front)
A closed obstacle, which means that if a horse stops, riders cannot leave the fence’s confines to try again. The ditches can confuse horses in their first Derby

Fence 8: Derby Bank (10ft 6in high with a 3ft 5in rail on top)
The one all the spectators are waiting for. The small fence on top is only 16ft from the edge and horses sometimes roll a pole there because their riders are trying to slow down before arriving at the edge. Horses slide down the face of the Bank and riders hope to jump off about halfway down, which will put them right for a nice two strides to the next problem

Fence 9: white rails (5ft 3in high)
One of the most influential fences. Clearing it depends on getting the descent of the Bank spot on

Fence 10: Devil’s Dyke (a closed rustic obstacle. 4ft 9in rails; 4ft 9in rails over a water ditch; 4ft 8in rails)
This is the one every rider wants out of the way. Because it is all the same colour, it can look like one big obstacle to the horse. And although the rails coming out measure only 4ft 8in high, the sloping ground makes them nearer 6ft

Fence 11: open water (15ft wide)
A difficult fence because it is jumped away from the entrance and some horses think they have finished after the previous fence

Fence 12: Derby rails (5ft 3in high)
These fall very easily. Most riders aim at the post in between

Fence 13: open ditch (5ft 1in high; 6ft wide)
Horses sometimes look in the 3ft ditch and forget to get their legs high enough to clear the rustic poles

Fence 14: balustrades (5ft 3in high)
Set downhill and a difficult fence to jump on a tired horse

Fence 15: double of gates (first part 4ft 10in high; second part 4ft 10in high and 5ft 6in wide)
This is on a long distance and horses find it hard to make the spread on part two

Fence 16: rustic spread (4ft 10in high; 6ft 6in wide)
Another wide fence that has ruined many dreams. It is a long way after the double and riders often approach at speed because they are worried about time-faults.

Show highlights

Thursday, 29 June: Grade B; young riders; Bunn Leisure Derby Tankard; Bunn Leisure Derby Salver; coloured horse

Friday, 30 June: Osborne Refrigerators Derby Trial; Hickstead Derby Vase; cob; riding horse; small hunter; M&M; 5/6-y-o; grade C

Saturday, 1 July: Speed Derby; Derby Trophy; hack; working hunter

Sunday, 2 July: public course-walk; DFS Derby; pony masters; ridden hunter; private driving; costers; retrained racehorse

Getting to Hickstead

From the north: travel south on the A23. Pass the Burgess Hill/Hickstead Village turn off. Take the next exit (B2118) and bear right over the flyover. Take the third exit at the roundabout. The showground entrance is 100m on the left.

From the south: leave the A23 at the junction marked B2117 for Hurstpierpoint. Turn left and after 200m turn right on to the B2118. Follow this road for 2.5miles. The showground entrance is 100m on the left after the third roundabout.

Ticket details

Thursday/Friday: tickets from £5 general admission to £52 for family (2 adults/2 children + car) members’ enclosure admission. General car parking costs £5 per day. Saturday: from £8-£90. Sunday: from £10-£105. Four-day general admission from £20-£120 + £12 car parking. For more details visit: www.hickstead.co.uk

Daily reports

Stay in touch with all the latest news from Hickstead with H&H Online’s daily reports from the show, starting on Friday.