‘Terrifying but very cool’: Olympic eventer to tackle Hickstead Derby

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Morgan Shirley and Envoy Merelsnest Z jumping round the Hickstead Derby in 2022, Olympic eventer Gemma Stevens is hoping to jump round on the 10-year-old stallion this year
Morgan Shirley and Envoy Merelsnest Z, who will be the ride of Gemma Stevens this year, jumping round the 2022 Hickstead Derby.
(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

Among the intrepid riders taking on the challenge of the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby for the first time this year is one very familiar name – just in a different context – Olympic eventer Gemma Stevens (neė Tattersall).

The British rider, who won team gold at the 2018 world championships and represented her country at the 2016 Olympics, has become a familiar face in the showjumping ring in recent years, while still combining it with top-level eventing, but this will be her first time bidding to compete in Hickstead’s iconic feature class on Sunday, 25 June. She describes the prospect as “terrifying but very cool”.

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Jennifer Donald
Jennifer Donald
Showjumping and racing editor

Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.