Double Hickstead celebration to treasure for Jeff and Alison Osborne

Jeff Osborne receives the Dorian Williams Trophy during the prize giving for the Osborne Refrigerators Double Harness Scurry Championship, won by his wife Alison.

(Image credit: Elli Birch/Boots and Hooves)

Horseman, sponsor and competitor Jeff Osborne, 87, is reconsidering thoughts of retiring from competition at 90.

The founder of Osborne Refrigerators was honoured for his huge contributions to Hickstead with the Dorian Williams trophy at the Longines Royal International Horse Show today (29 July).

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Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.

‘I’d intended to retire at 90… but I think it might now be 95’: double Hickstead celebration to treasure for husband and wife

Watch the full interview with Jeff and Alison below

Jeff was surprised with the accolade during the prize giving for the Osborne Refrigerators Double Harness Scurry Championship, which was fittingly won by his wife, Alison, with ponies Chip & Dale. He joined her for a very special double celebratory lap of honour in the Longines main arena.

Alison told H&H that they “couldn’t have had a better day”, crediting the “whole team that has got us here”, while Jeff admitted that the award was “every bit a surprise”.

“Normally I see through everything – it completely took me by surprise, and it was a nice surprise! I remember Dorian in his judging days here at Hickstead, but I never expected to win this award,” Jeff told H&H.

Jeff, who has had a lifelong passion for “things that move fast”, raced motorcycles and was a pilot before taking up riding aged 40.

“My children said, ‘you make Mummy go skiing, why don’t you go and ride horses?’” he said, recalling how he duly took them up on the suggestion and discovered how much he enjoyed it.

Planes took a back seat to four legs after that. Jeff enjoyed success showing and showjumping, also serving as field master of the Chiddingfold Leconfield & Cowdray.

He has a long connection with Hickstead, remembering the late Douglas Bunn as among his first customers many years ago. He is one of the showground’s longest-standing sponsors and has had success across the disciplines at the West Sussex venue.

He said that the family nature of Hickstead makes it so special, and added that he always likes to throw his rosettes to the youngsters in the crowd.

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