Royal Windsor Horse Show – one of the country’s most prestigious equestrian events – will welcome the nation’s finest Showing and Show Jumping combinations to the private grounds of Windsor Castle for four days of national competition. Taking place from May 15th to 8th, this year’s event promises a thrilling showcase of equestrian excellence, not only featuring national classes but also world-class international competitions and breathtaking displays.
Showing
Often considered to be the start of the Showing season, Royal Windsor Horse Show has this year received over 1300 entries across 120 classes. Set against the spectacular backdrop of Windsor Castle, the Show will host a diverse range of classes, from native British favourites such as the beloved Connemara pony to the elegant Portuguese Lusitano and the stunning purebred Arabian.
The Showing action begins on Thursday 15th May, with an exciting schedule including the ever-popular Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) classes, with both In-Hand and Ridden sections. Last year, Katie Jerram-Hunnable secured the Ridden Championship title with His Majesty The King’s First Receiver. Entered once again in this esteemed class, one of 18 entries from the Royal Household, she sets a high standard for this year’s contenders. Thursday’s programme also includes the Coloured Horse & Pony classes, as well as Working Hunters and Working Show Horses, promising an outstanding line up.
On Friday, attention turns to the Horse & Hound Mountain & Moorland Supreme In-Hand Championship, a prestigious competition showcasing Britain’s finest native breeds. Last year’s champion, Melanie Peters’ Hoekhorst Example a striking grey stallion impressed the judges with his presence and athletic movement. This year Jenny Hughes will be competing with Hoekhorst Example and hoping to retain the coveted title. Spectators can also look forward to the LeMieux Hunter Championship, the Cob Championship, and the Count Robert Orssich Hack Championship. Additionally, the ever-popular Polo Pony class, sponsored by Guards Polo Club, will see riders compete in full polo kit, and will be judged on the partnership between pony and rider, conformation, and turnout.
Saturday shifts the spotlight to the Mountain & Moorland Working Hunter Pony classes and the BSPS Mountain & Moorland Ridden classes, sponsored by New Horizon Plastics. Among the many talented competitors competing in the BSPS Mountain & Moorland Ridden classes this year is Harlow White, who will be riding her Connemara pony, King Bunowen Castle Ali. Meanwhile, Marsh Walk on By, ridden by Lilly Richardson who was crowned BSPS Worker Stakes Champion at London International Horse Show in December is among the standout combinations competing in the Mountain and Moorland Working Hunter Pony (not exceeding 122cm) class.
The Senior Horse & Pony Showing classes remain a highlight of the final day of the Show, and bring together veteran horses aged 15 and over. The prestigious Show Pony Championship which is decided in front of the packed stands of the Castle Arena, provides a fitting end to the four days of intense Showing competition.
Show Jumping
In addition to the world-class 5* Show Jumping competition, Royal Windsor Horse Show will host some of the most thrilling national Show Jumping classes of the season. On Thursday morning, the Redpost Equestrian Senior Foxhunter will mark the start of the Show, with over 100 horse-and-rider combinations set to compete. Open exclusively to horses with fewer than 700 British Show Jumping points, this class often showcases some of the most exciting young talent in the country. The Billy Stud returns to Royal Windsor with a strong contingent nine horses ridden by five different riders, including Pippa and William Funnell promising fierce competition. Other riders to watch include Jay Halim, who has two entries, as well as the father-daughter duo of Guy and Maisy Williams, each with one entry.
Following this, the iconic Castle Arena will host the highly competitive LeMieux National 1.40m Open Jumping Competition. Royal Windsor Horse Show Ambassador Joseph Stockdale will be one to watch aboard the talented Nucarla. Emily Sage, a past winner at the Show, who knows what it takes to win at the venue having claimed the Foxhunter class back in 2022, will provide strong competition for Stockdale, as will France’s Dan Delsart. Also in contention are the five Billy Stud horses entered in the class.
One of the highlights of the Show Jumping schedule is the Defender Under-25 Jumping Competition on Sunday morning, where some of the sport’s most promising young riders will have the opportunity to showcase their talent. This class provides a valuable platform for the next generation of equestrian talent to compete at one of the best Shows in the country. Claudia Moore contests the class again with Hardesther. Fresh from securing second place in the Under-25 class at the CSI5* Saut Hermès show in Paris she will be one to watch. She will, however, face stiff competition from Great Britain’s Junior European team bronze medallists Olivia Sponer and Jake Myers. The class, which has been won by some of Britain’s most exciting young riders, will also feature the 2023 champion, Antonia Platt, as well as Maisy Williams, who impressed audiences with her performance in the Puissance class at the London International Horse Show in December.
James Shaw, Event Director, stated: “We are thrilled to once again welcome an outstanding number of national entries to Royal Windsor Horse Show across Showing and Show Jumping. The event continues to bring together some of the most talented horses and riders in the country. It is a true celebration of equestrian sport, set against the stunning backdrop of Windsor Castle, and we look forward to witnessing the exceptional talent on display across a variety of exciting competitions.”
To find out more about Royal Windsor Horse Show, or to book tickets, visit https://rwhs.co.uk/
