The CSI5* Show Jumping got underway today at Royal Windsor Horse Show, featuring some of the world’s top-ranked riders in the opening class, The Pearl Stakes. The highlight of the day, The Defender Stakes, provided a closely contested battle – much to the delight of the enthusiastic crowds in the Castle Arena.
Across the Showground, International Driving began with the Dressage phase, while the Showing arenas hosted several Championship classes. In the Great Park, Royal Windsor Endurance, supported by The Kingdom of Bahrain, featured CEI3*, CEI2*, and CEI1* rides.
Out on the Long Walk, the Coaching Marathon offered a striking spectacle for Windsor’s residents, as elegant carriages passed the iconic landmark on their way to the Castle Arena.
Additionally, the Equestrian Road Safety Awareness Ride arrived at the Show in memory of Knockalla, a two-year-old racehorse tragically killed in a road incident in Lambourn. As part of the British Horse Society’s ‘Dead Slow’ campaign and #ProjectEDWARD, the ride promoted safer driving around horses, with riders making the journey from Lambourn Gallops to Windsor.
A WHITAKER ONE-TWO
This afternoon, world-class competition took centre stage at Royal Windsor Horse Show with the CSI5* Defender Stakes, as 31 of the sport’s elite riders tackled Bernardo Costa Cabral’s demanding 15-fence course under glorious sunshine.
It was Great Britain’s Jessica Mendoza who set the pace early on, delivering the first clear aboard her talented 12-year-old mare, In The Air. Hot on her heels, USA’s Lillie Keenan followed suit with an immaculate round on Le Louvre 5, ensuring early excitement for the crowds.
As the class unfolded, 15 combinations – including an impressive eight from the home nation – secured spots in what promised to be a thrilling jump-off. Among them were two of Britain’s Paris 2024 Olympic team gold medallists, Ben Maher and Harry Charles, adding even more star power to the line-up.
In true family tradition, the Whitakers made their presence known with four relatives progressing to the second round. Legendary showjumper John Whitaker and his son Robert were joined by Donald and Jack Whitaker – the latter riding Valmy de La Lande, the mount owned by his father, Michael.
Seven nations were represented in the jump-off, and Brazil’s Yuri Mansur was the first to produce a double clear. Ben Maher and Point Break followed, but a wide turn before the double left the door open for the Whitaker clan to make their mark. The crowd erupted as John Whitaker, decorated with Olympic, World, and European Championship medals, surged into the lead with a time of 40.71 seconds. Sweden’s Petronella Andersson laid down a valiant challenge but slotted into third place with a slower time, but it was John’s nephew and Royal Windsor Horse Show Ambassador, Jack Whitaker, who put the pressure on. In a display of brilliance, Jack took out a stride between the penultimate Defender oxer and the final water tray fence to clinch victory in a time of 39.40 seconds – sealing a remarkable family triumph in front of an elated Windsor crowd.
A delighted Jack commented: “I think I was a bit quicker in the middle of the jump-off, he [Valmy de La Lande] was flying around, and jumped amazingly. I feel very very happy to have won here on the first day of International Jumping at Royal Windsor Horse Show.”
Earlier in the day, the CSI5* Pearl Stakes opened the International Show Jumping in style, with last year’s Rolex Grand Prix winner, Martin Fuchs, coming out on top. 33 horse and rider combinations contested the 1.45m two-phase competition with Italy’s Lorenzo de Luca setting a strong pace as first to go. Fuchs took over the lead in the early stages with an immaculate round aboard Love de Vie, a nine-year-old mare competing in her first five-star class. Only Laura Kraut could come close to challenging the Swiss rider’s position, but her effort was only good enough for second place, with de Luca finishing in third.
Speaking after his round, Fuchs said: “I love this show, it’s great to be back, it’s a great crowd and there’s always an amazing atmosphere, so I always love to come here. It’s Love de Vie’s first five-star show. She’s a really talented mare and I have high expectations for her future, so it was wonderful to start with a win.”
ANOTHER WINDSOR WIN FOR WALKER
Robert Walker, reserve Champion last year, resumed his customary place at the top of the LeMieux Hunter Championship affairs in the grand setting of the Castle Arena this morning, which was bathed in glorious sunshine.
Although this was Robert’s ninth time winning this class at Royal Windsor it closely rivalling the achievements of legendary showmen Robert Oliver and David Tatlow, and it was his first title with Jill Day’s winning Middleweight, Greenhall Treasure Island. It also marked a triumphant comeback for the strapping bay after a year off the scene.
“He’s a lovely horse – one I always look forward to riding,” said Rob.
Ride judge, event rider Nick Gauntlett, who officiated alongside British Show Pony Society National Chair Paul Cook, added: “Both the Champion and Reserve are really nice horses and went exceptionally well, but our Champion just had that bit of extra sparkle.”
Reserve went to Gloucestershire-based Matt Ainsworth with the winning Heavyweight, Dublin Streetfighter, who gave Matt’s long-time owner Sue Hookham her first Windsor victory.
Later, a blistering gallop with Jill Day’s latest “find,” the Lightweight Kief Dream Catcher, gave Robert Walker the Novice Hunter Championship sponsored by Alan Marnie title too, despite having finished second in his class. This is only the fourth time that Rob has won these two titles in the same year, and they came exactly ten years after his first double victory. He couldn’t have been more thrilled: “He’s a new horse to us so we weren’t really expecting too much,” he said. “Needless to say, we can’t stop smiling.”
Across in the Frogmore Arena, Isabella Mears-Wood was the emotional winner of the Amateur Cob class for a record fifth time aboard 15-year-old Brookdale Limited Edition [Archie]. “He’s not getting any younger and every win means so much more to me,” said Issy.
Tears flowed even more freely when producer Danielle Heath rode Issy’s lovely coloured horse, Mr Vincent, to win the open Lightweight Cob class.
However her best moment came later in the day when Forgeland Hyde Park became only the second horse in the long history of the Show to land the Count Robert Orssich Hack Championship for a fourth time, equalling the record set by Robert Oliver and the legendary Tenterk back in 1981.
“The week started off amazing yesterday for us [with a win in the Coloured classes] and it’s just got better and better,” added Issy, who also stood reserve in the Cob Championship with Archie.
The Cob Championship title went to Will Morton aboard Valerie Hosegood’s skewbald Heavyweight victor Bannview So Smart, who was still in novice ranks this time last year but was second at the Horse of the Year Show. “I hoped this would be his year,” said Will.
In the native breed classes, Devon-based Cathy Wood’s outstanding Connemara stallion, Clover Hill Magic, improved on last year’s reserve to lift the coveted Horse and Hound Mountain and Moorland Supreme In Hand Championship – one of the late Her Majesty Queen’s favourite classes.
HM The King was not to be outdone, and the pure-bred Cleveland Bay class – another breed much-favoured by the late Her Majesty Queen – went to his 13-year-old Wyevale Harry, partnered by Isabel Oakley who won Cleveland Bay Ridden (Pure Bred) class. Then, Bethany Attwell rode his St Ives to victory in the Part-Bred class, completing a remarkable double.
DRIVEN DRESSAGE DELGHT FOR EXELL
Over in the Driven Dressage Arena – Home Park, the CAIO4* World Cup Qualifier got underway with the Dressage phase – the first of the three phases that make up the event. It was Australia’s Boyd Exell – who has won this very class over ten times – who finished the day in the lead, ahead of the USA’s Chester Weber in second, and Germany’s Anna Mareike Meier in third. Tomorrow will present a new challenge for the Drivers and their teams of horses as they face the Marathon phase of the competition.
PHOTO OF THE DAY
