Mannequin and TV presenter Jodie Kidd proud to change into Hickstead director

Mannequin and TV presenter Jodie Kidd has change into a director of the All England Leaping Course at Hickstead.

Jodie stated she was proud to tackle the position, because the third technology of her household to carry it, after her grandmother Janet, the primary patron of Hickstead, and her father Johnny. Jodie’s godfather was Douglas Bunn, who based the showground 64 years in the past; her mom Wendy is godmother to Douglas’s daughter Chloe Breen and Johnny is godfather to Douglas’s son John.

“I’ve so many nice recollections of Hickstead when rising up, similar to watching Buddy Bunn win the Hickstead Derby in 2004, which was one in all my godfather Douglas’s proudest moments – there wasn’t a dry eye in the home that day,” stated Jodie, who competed in pony showjumping lessons at Hickstead and just lately filmed interviews with high Hickstead regulars together with John and Robert Whitaker and Peter and Harry Charles.

“I additionally bear in mind this in the future when John Whitaker and Milton rode over to one of many again rings to observe us leap our 13.2hh ponies – none of us might focus! Different youngsters had posters of Brad Pitt on the wall, however I had footage of John and Milton.”

Jodie Kidd to attend Agria Royal Worldwide

Jodie can be on the Agria Royal Worldwide Horse Present (23-28 July) and serving to promote Hickstead occasions to a wider viewers.

“There may be a lot on provide at Hickstead, and it doesn’t matter whether or not you’re horsey or not,” she added. “The procuring is unbelievable, and youngsters at all times love all of the household leisure in the course of the exhibits – particularly the funfair. In the event you simply wish to get pleasure from some wonderful sport within the Sussex countryside, maybe with a glass of Pimm’s or champagne, then I’d undoubtedly encourage everybody to go right down to the showground for a superb time out.”

Tickets for the Agria Royal Worldwide Horse Present (23-28 July) can be found now, ranging from £20. Advance reductions and concessions can be found.

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H&H information editor

Eleanor is an skilled journalist who spent over eight years working for native and nationwide newspapers earlier than becoming a member of H&H as information editor in March 2016. Keen about equine welfare and exposing the reality, Eleanor has reported on all features of the trade, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage guidelines to mules. Her sport of selection is showjumping, through which she competes her personal horses, and she or he additionally enjoys reporting at native leaping exhibits via to worldwide championships.