Harriet Biddick loses her bridle at the Al Shira'aa Hickstead Derby - Speed Derby 2023 🫣

Throwback to the Hickstead Horse Show 2023 when Harriet Biddick lost her bridle just three jumps away from the finish line and still managed to complete the course on the legendary Hickstead showground! 🤩
Could you have handled the situation as well as she did? 🫣
Curious about watching the Hickstead Horse Show on TV? 📺 Explore our archive on ClipMyHorse.TV to discover who emerged victorious in the Hickstead Derby 2023! 🎥❤️

[@creativehorsequeen]

I love how she holds up the bridle and shrugs 🤣🤣🤣 She was so unbothered. Good for her for just carrying on and not panicking

[@senka2578]

The best riders know how to ride a horse using their seat, legs and maintaining balance with heels down. They aren’t dependent on the bridle. That is true horsemanship.

[@wjm1319]

If you're using the reins to balance, you're hurting your horse. Reins are for communication, not hanging on.

[@cageordie]

It's not that simple when you are jumping. All the riders at this sort of event are experts with years of experience, most of them have been riding since they were small kids. These are professionals.

[@lay996]

​@@wjm1319 Yes. That's why some end up hurting horses because they try to balance themselves on the reins.

[@TS-dn8gj]

Super great way to finish the jump rounds. What a fantastic horse and rider. Well done to them both

[@ClipMyHorseTVInternational]

Impressive job of both of them 🙌🏼

[@wendybutler1681]

A meeting of the minds. They both knew what the goal was.

[@cindyrissal3628]

This is what you can do if you ride w/ your seat, legs & balance & not just the reins...

[@Kkubey]

As a kid when I took some small jumping lessons we were once asked to ride without reins entirely, across a pole course. It is important to be able to do that if you want to jump. Actually, I would go as far as to say that who can't do that shouldn't even start. There are so many videos out there from small competitions where you can clearly see the rider keeps pulling around in the mouth even across jumps.

[@sergeantmasson3669]

@cindyrissal3628, total trust between horse and rider is most important as well.

[@Sharon-ff4gi]

I used to ride a great horse named Sidepockets. He was named that because you could 'rein' him with just your legs. little pressure right, little pressure left. He was such a smart horse!

[@carolyn1696]

And with a good working relationship with a great horse!!!

[@mumimor]

So true. I made a big thing about being able to ride my pony without reins, often holding them demonstratively loosely just for the sport. It's safer that way if you know what you are doing. Unfortunately, I couldn't afford to move up to big horse sports. It's very expensive.

[@susanmyers1899]

That horse is something else,so relaxed,happy,confident. Way to go.

[@angelinasouren]

Yes!!! ❤

[@elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633]

It's a veteran. 18 years old.

[@cherylmarquez2645]

That horse knew the mission and took it all the way home.

[@Adequate79]

Except it didn’t. There’s one more fence and they didn’t jump it

[@1daySomeday]

thank goodness both rider and horse finished safely and no harm came to either in an unexpected sudden potential crisis. Everyone could go home safe and sound.

[@ClipMyHorseTVInternational]

Absolutely! That's the most important thing 🙏

[@sandralogue1774]

They actually train this way,because equipment failures do occur,notice it was a bitless bridle and she had a neck strap to hang on. But with all that ,yes,an amazing performance n both horse and rider.

[@janicebourdage3567]

That horse is outstanding! Pure pleasure to watch!

[@gwennnnnnn]

proof you ride with YOUR LEGS!! 👏

[@lindaj5492]

Horse knows his job ❤

[@melikesmuffins6676]

Beautiful riding. Horse looks very comfortable and in their element.

[@stardust949]

What a gorgeous silver-grey horse!!! There's more to horsemanship than tack. There is your body in sync with the horse and all the training together. I'm not surprised at all that horse and rider completed the round.

[@veramae4098]

Remember watching an Olympic event in horsemanship years ago. Rider fell off for some reason. Horse went on and finished the course in record time and flawlessly. Judges wouldn't award the gold however 'cause it has to be horse AND rider.

[@mrswoodbrooke]

@@veramae4098 Thats not necessarily as cool as you think...

[@Cricket2731]

She should get bonus points for finishing safely without a bridle!

[@angelinasouren]

That was such a treat to watch! That horse... I'm trying to find words. Like a happy little ehm what kind of dog shall I pick? So smooth and compact and confident. Just does it.

[@shellieburgoyne9555]

Absolutely awesome 👏 Wonderful and trusted relationship btn the 2 😊

[@ClipMyHorseTVInternational]

We couldn't agree more 🙏🏼

[@wendybutler1681]

Who needs a bridle when your horse is wise. Neighbors were just about ready to call police for help when a visiting family's 4 yo disappeared. Then they spot old Sam walking along the fenceline with the child on his back. The boy had climbed from the fence onto the huge horse and Sam took him for a tour of the pasture. Sweet, stubborn horse.

[@TomiokaGiyuu2518]

Aww but yeah, I do understand the worry

[@marilynrowland5197]

Great story! Horses are amazing creatures!

[@mariaobrien1747]

My first horse, a Quarter horse mare, carried me 12 kilometres home while I was having an attack of gallstones . She could tell when a spasm was coming on and would stop and refuse absolutely to move until it was over and I was balanced again. Just took over and did the job. Animals' capabilities to think and act are grossly underrated. I'll bet this combo of horse and rider are totally in synch. Brilliant!

[@TheRaspberry82]

WOW!!!!!!❤❤❤

[@avagrego3195]

So much pleasure and excitement to see the work between rider and horse - thank you

[@clayoreilly4553]

Beautiful!! Good horse!!

[@jo-ellen3919]

I WOULD TRUST MY HORSE TO TAKE CARE OF ME🐎💋👍😇

[@petrahartog5934]

Take care of eachother ....care for your horse and it will care for you

[@rodandjudibowen5665]

Wow! What a horse! 🤠

[@lucyb.7649]

Fantastici

[@elaineburgess9265]

This is true writer and a Quine companionship and trust. This is what makes it work❤ good for them.

[@daleenalberts5829]

Less is more. Well proven. ❤❤

[@sharonannrees2824]

Well done!

[@wernerheuser634]

like that should it be,trust instead off punishment and force

[@Nicole-kr6tn]

Could have gone so wrong if she panicked. Good on her, the training, dedication, and love for riding and horses has really paid off for her and her horse!

[@shermoore1693]

Great to see! I hope this encourages people to ride without a bit, just a neck strap. The horse can move more naturally and is so much happier.

[@elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633]

Depends on the horse.

[@Earthismadeoflayers]

No bridle competitions... now that would be awesome

[@paulagaub9871]

Lovely to see Hickstead on here my Uncle Vernon's ashes are buried at the water jump he worked there for years for Bunny ,❤

[@shelm-b8p]

As a horseback rider for 50 years: how do you loose a bridle? Did they get a brand new bridle and forgot to latch it properly? Seriously

[@lynnie0524]

it's a mechanical hackamore/bitless bridle. He raised his muzzle and she pulled at the exact perfect time that the noseband just slid over his eyes.

[@shelm-b8p]

@@lynnie0524 you are right. I thought it was a bit. Especially since some folks said that it is mandatory to have a bit. 👍

[@lynnie0524]

@@shelm-b8p I think bits are mandatory in dressage, but not so in jumpers.

[@bernadettecartin]

​@@lynnie0524I am waiting for the day when the dressage rules change, so that the less equipment you use the higher the score. No bridle places higher than neck rope places higher than bitless places higher than single reins places higher than double reins etc. assuming the horses perform all the moves correctly. The original point of dressage was to get the horse to do the moves without looking like you were telling it to. So the less you need to communicate with the horse, the higher your score SHOULD be. The points awarded could be on some kind of scale they figure out for difficulty of maneuver and how well the horse performs it with whatever equipment is used, but less should always be more. Dreaming on . . .

[@melanies.6030]

You don't "loose" anything, because it's not a verb!!

[@anitapraass5136]

Amazing finish

[@uncleleo1873]

What a team!

[@mathchat5160]

It sounded like the announcer said, " It's the most unbelievable way to come in last!" 🤣😂

[@caroljones1605]

Awesome twosome!!!

[@conniekenny3829]

Magnificent horse and rider! If anything proves that horses don’t need us in their mouths when they jump. We just need to show what we want and then let do it!

[@wjm1319]

Not entirely true. A rider's job is to use the reins to communicate to the horse what is coming up - if it's a long jump or 2 close jumps or a jump followed by a sharp turn. The horse knows how to jump, obviously. That's not what the rider is helping with. The rider's job is to use their knowledge of the course (which in competitions, the horse has never seen before, but the rider gets briefed on before competing) to tell the horse *how* s/he should be jumping in order to meet the next challenge on the course in their best form. Bits & reins are communication, not control.

[@conniekenny3829]

@@wjm1319, understood, but far too many riders balance themselves with the reins and pull on the horse’s mouth/head during the takeoff & landing.

[@Gigii_EQ]

That s true horsemanship

[@Gigii_EQ]

Especially when it comes to show jumping too

[@Athena621]

Eddie Macken rode his horses in showjumping without a bit, snd who remembers the famous 1956 gold medal for HG Winkler on Halla after he was quasi paralised and Halla completed the course.

[@iamjustjudy]

The horse didn't even need a rider, she could have ran that course by herself. Awesome horse!

[@Debbie338]

Not so. It’s a great horse, but that rider did a fantastic job of riding the way it should be done.

[@iamjustjudy]

@@Debbie338 Yeah, she just sat there 🤣😂

[@gentlegiants1974]

I'm curious as to how the noseband and the bit straps all failed simultaneously. I know there are a lot of bridle variations out there, but I'm at a loss as to how it could just peel back like nothing at all. I have been around horses daily for over 35 years and make my living with them.

[@Kim_gs1206]

It's a hackamore, there is no bit.

[@angelusgaston5922]

It didn't fall off she pulled it off notice the backwards movement of her hands and the resistance of the horse as it pulls over it's head 😂nice show and trick.

[@sidilicious11]

How did the bridle come off? I don’t get the mechanics of it. Wouldn’t the throat latch at least stay on? Anyway it was thrilling to watch!

[@Kim_gs1206]

It's a hackamore, so no bit, and combined with the earnet it was able to slide off. The start of it was on the hill where the horse made strange move and the rider got off balance as well. I've had this happen once, I also use a hackamore.

[@sheryl146]

Bloody fantastic!!

[@siberiathewhitewarrior9650]

I don't know if the horse was able to take the bridle off himself, but it may have helped him and the rider both in making those final jumps. Though I don't know if the bridle cause some visibility issues or restrains some muscle control.

[@randomvielleuse527]

Correctly fitted and used a bridle should have no impact on a horse's ability to see. There is control of the horse but it's mostly through communication, unless a person is abusive. Then, yes, a bit especially can be quite harmful. But for a horse to continue on so perfectly focused on their job it means the horse and rider have a good relationship and the horse enjoys their job.

[@merlebarl4977]

Should be the minimum to compete in those high levels. Those so called professionals who just yank on their horses face annoy me so much.

[@radolfkalis4041]

Good ride! Horse trusts her, good team.

[@vaqueroontario]

Which begs the question why are these riders holding on and yanking on the reins so much in the first place? Perhaps they should learn horsemanship instead of just riding??

[@vuittonangel]

She may not have won but she stole the show 😂

[@XxBlueEyedxX]

Tbf, any rider learns how to ride their horse with their seat, legs and balance, it's something you train from day 1. But what makes this one extraordinary is how quickly the rider and horse adjusted to the new situation and didn't spook. They were in full-speed between two jumps and the rider reacted very quickly so that both got out of it without hurting each other. Jumping without a bridle isn't the mot impressive thing you see in this video.

[@katesisco]

One of my favorite stories from RD condensed books was SNOWMAN. He was a rescue and proved himself a champion. The last show the rider left the reins untouched and the horse jumped every obstacle by himself. What a true champion.

[@cathynewyork7918]

"Snowman" was also a true-life documentary film in movie theaters years ago, featuring real-life black and white video of Snowman jumping and being a children's pet. Maybe you can find that movie online somewhere to watch. Snowman was MORE than an RD book - he was a real horse who went from a kill-pen to prize-winning show jumper.

[@kalovakarhei4937]

Great ride, nice video, horrible music …

[@rhythmandblues_alibi]

Agree, the music is so bad

[@TomiokaGiyuu2518]

I like it..

[@rhythmandblues_alibi]

@@TomiokaGiyuu2518 sociopath?

[@TomiokaGiyuu2518]

@@rhythmandblues_alibi nah. It maybe doesn't really fit to horse jumping but it's not that bad

[@kalovakarhei4937]

@@TomiokaGiyuu2518 … von solcher Musik wird die Milch sauer … in you know what I mean…

[@Snezzleify]

That moment of “oh s***!” And then “Look mum! No hands!”

[@Luvtallhorses]

I want to see how she got him stopped

[@lampjerulez]

the fact that the comentator said;'' i am not sure if she can control it anymore'' Uh lol YES SHE CAN mate, you dont CONTROL a horse with its bridle its just a tool that can help out with fine tuning certain things XD every rider that cant ride a horse without a bridle needs to learn this in my opinion. (and not like riding a whole track like she did, but at least know how to turn/speed up/stop/go backwards etc

[@heathrbee7807]

Is that Olive and Mabel’s dad announcing?

[@IvySnowFillyVideos]

Good horse=70% ride

[@valkyrie1066]

We don't need no stinkin' bridle! Fortunately, horses are MUCH smarter than cars. He knew the job!

[@gusloader123]

Wow! I started riding horses when I was about 11 years old and have been in horse shows (Western) and Gymkhanas and have announced a few Horse shows. Thankfully I never had a bridle do that. That would like losing the brakes and the steering wheel on an automobile. VERY good horse! I hope she gave the horse an extra scoop of Omolene after that.

[@mrswoodbrooke]

You shouldnt use the bridle to stop or steer, thats for your seat and legs

[@QuinSteph]

Prove horse's don't need bits.

[@darilynadams7281]

Well, trained horse.

[@jonokobal4051]

Could do with a martingale!!

[@sandib4234]

This was awesome 🌹

[@wendygoerl9162]

So what exactly broke? One of the cheekstraps? The video doesn't give a really good view.

[@Fubar2024]

I bet a small handful of these riders could do their course in bitless bridles! I would love to see that! Make it a new competition because it shows off real horse men and women from riders.

[@dsnyder7872]

Would have been nice to know the time for the course.

[@michelemarch8270]

Thank You👍💖

[@jackiesharp669]

Yes but why couldn't they get the bridle on properly to start with. And i can ride without a bridle and saddle.

[@jobond3317]

She did not jump it the horse did

[@salseracubana3428]

An unbelievable riding couple!!! I had tears in my eyes!

[@annaabney1420]

That was absolutely marvelous.

[@lorithrower2467]

Amazing, what a wonderful horse.❤❤❤

[@em945]

Would someone kindly explain what happened to the bridle? Did it break? Thank you. (Non horseman)

[@randomvielleuse527]

Apparently this was a bitless bridle or hackamore, and it just slipped off over the horse's head.

[@elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633]

bridle

[@em945]

@@elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633 corrected.✌

[@asifiqbal9607]

Well Done

[@lorispicer4598]

It would have been a lot worse if that bridle had come off at the very start of this course

[@elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633]

I can't believe they didn't win. Beautiful ride.

[@sergeantmasson3669]

Stacy Westfall is the best at no reins/halter horse riding.

[@ag8289]

Why? If she doesn't jump in such competitions, she's not the best.

[@juliaforsyth8332]

Read what she said again.@@ag8289

[@jcpalmer6051]

Wow!

[@spook6394]

“It isss what it isssss” - her probably

[@TMHJ_Equestrian-Official]

Harriet Biddick in the 3rd clip….as much as it’s so impressive….with how she lost the bridle and all…it’s not a Victory…depending on what you mean by Victory….Victory as in winning, no…but in completing and going on with the round without a bridle? Yes! I'm not sure what place she ended up in….but however if you meant Victory as in Victorious, like…winning? Then this wouldn't exactly be a Victory as she had 8 faults….and didn't win. It's so very impressive and she did so well! But she didn't win. But either way, love yah and btw…nonetheless I love the edit!!! ❤

[@alaakela]

Lose the music. Great video.

[@cupatka]

Доверие это конечно хорошо... Но не кажется ли вам что этой лошади тяжело прыгать?

[@kathybruchhauser4013]

Go Silver Boy !! Good Boy !!

[@karenburrows9184]

This shows you exactly how much of the performance is carried by the HORSE.

[@allysondoerfler2435]

I have a hard time believing the bridle slipped off so easily by accident. Nice show.

[@PartanBree]

It must have broken.

[@RexyAnimates.-.]

It was a hackamore/ bitless bridle. The horse lifted their head and the rider pulled at the same time, causing it to be pulled off their face

[@paulanapper7818]

So did they win?

[@rzolly9651]

Great horse

[@Hearts4Kaiden]

❤❤️🐎🥰🔥💯

[@nabil5249]

🙏

[@HorseNmotorcicle_obsession]

I FINALLY FOUND THE VIDEO WOHOO IMA MAKE AN EDIT NOWW🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@staceyburrows3661]

rip hickstead 😢

[@saro5240]

Yessssss ❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@petrahartog5934]

As you can see , she was riding mostly on the legs before .... Was it accidental or a protest against FEI dissaproving of bitless contest ?

[@judib3937]

Many years ago I was basically forced to use a bit on my horse because it was regulation for western classes. I gave it one season as my horse absolutely preferred his hackamore. I recall him taking off in the arena and I had lost control of him however I let him run it out just to prove to the judges that the bit wasn’t for all horses 😅 my belated apologies to the other riders in the class, we went back to the hack and stayed out of arenas after that!

[@ElizabethDMadison]

lol. easy peasy!

[@wildswan221]

The horse was happier when she had a free head. The jumps were better.

[@rebeccarothfuss-ym3gs]

She didn't lose the bridle. Watch closely, she deliberately pulled it off. WHY?😮

[@TomiokaGiyuu2518]

No, she pulled at the exact perfect moment where it could slip over the ears and come off, since there is no bit

[@razzmatazz5961]

That is just animal cruelty. Horses should not be made to jump weird jumps like that. It is not natural. Shame on her!!!

[@moonsmilk333]

the 'weird' jumps (hills etc) here are more "natural" than the ones with the poles painted bright colours

[@ShintogaDeathAngel]

You can't make a horse do something it doesn't want to.

[@mrswoodbrooke]

I was going to explain... logic, to you but you clearly havent see a horse IRL... You dont have room to talk here

[@de-janeniles1120]

Deliberately done to have a hollywood scene 😂😂😅

[@ShintogaDeathAngel]

Not much Hollywood about it because she didn't win, and Hollywood is all about the fantasy, against-all-odds type endings.

[@gigifrasieur1586]

What a relief for the horse! Just goes to show the brutal bits they use are totally unnecessary and wanton cruelty.

[@oakiin]

That horse was not wearing a bit, which is why the bridle was able to come off like that. It's wearing a hackamore, also known as a bitless bridle. A great option, if bits don't work for your horse, but bitless doesn't work for every horse either.

[@melanies.6030]

You should be embarrassed by making that assertion in this case, where it clearly does not apply.

[@TomiokaGiyuu2518]

Bits, spurs and whips are only brutal wheb used incorrectly.

[@ShintogaDeathAngel]

A) not 'totally unnecessary' at all, some horses can't be ridden without bits B) bits aren't brutal when used correctly and C) bitless bridles, like all other equipment, can be brutal when used incorrectly or by riders who are harsh to their mounts regardless of equipment

[@Querencia7779]

Horrid music!

[@348Tobico]

That was staged but effective. She could have ridden those last jumps with her arms spread wide and she still would have had a great ride.

[@creuvette29]

Staged ? Why

[@rhythmandblues_alibi]

How was it staged 🤔

[@TomiokaGiyuu2518]

Please explain..?

[@ShintogaDeathAngel]

Why do you think this was staged? Plenty of unexpected things that have happened at high level competitions like this, and in horse racing (nothing to do with this video but it is tangentially related). I remember Mark Todd losing his stirrups at one cross country event, several years ago, and he rode the rest of the course with his legs tucked up under the saddle flaps.