Royal Windsor Horse Show drew to a spectacular close on Sunday, with world-class international competition continuing across Show Jumping, Driving and Showing in the private grounds of Windsor Castle. The final day featured the prestigious CSI5* Rolex Grand Prix, the concluding phases of the CAIO4*-H4 FEI Driving World Cup™ Qualifier, and a host of top-level national Showing Championships, bringing together many of the finest horse and rider combinations from around the globe.
In the CSI5* Rolex Grand Prix, Luxembourg’s Victor Bettendorf produced a superb performance to take victory aboard Qwando van de Rispen, while Great Britain’s Ben Maher finished second after an exciting five-way jump-off in The Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Castle Arena.
Belgium’s Dries Degrieck claimed victory in the CAIO4*-H4 FEI Driving World Cup™ Qualifier, as Belgium also secured the team title, while in Showing, Izzy Walker and Stoneleigh Showtime claimed a remarkable fourth consecutive Show Pony Championship title.
VICTOR BETTENDORF CLAIMS ROLEX GRAND PRIX CROWN
The Show’s pinnacle class, the CSI5* Rolex Grand Prix, brought three days of world-class Show Jumping to a thrilling close in the private grounds of Windsor Castle. A field of 34 leading horse and rider combinations, including six of the world’s current top 10 ranked riders, came forward to contest the up-to-height 1.60m course, designed by Portugal’s Bernardo Costa Cabral. With its technicality, scale and atmosphere, it provided a fitting finale to the international Show Jumping programme.
In total, five combinations progressed to the jump-off against the clock, each vying for a share of the €500,000 prize fund. First to return for the jump-off, Bettendorf set the standard, producing a clear round in 37.41 seconds. Maher and Charles both rose to the occasion, each delivering faultless performances to finish second and third respectively, but neither could catch the Luxembourger’s leading time. Riding Point Break, Maher stopped the clock in 38.26 seconds, while Charles and Chawton completed the podium with a time of 44.03 seconds.
Speaking after the class, Bettendorf said: “As first to go, I was trying to go quickly in the jump-off but I didn’t have the best stride into the combination, which I thought slowed me down. After my round, I thought ok, I will finish behind Ben and Matthew for sure, but I was lucky they were a bit slower.
“I’ve been dreaming about this green [Rolex] blanket for a while, so I’m really proud and happy to win one. I’m really grateful.
Reflecting on Royal Windsor Horse Show, he continued: “I love to compete in Great Britain. It’s always a wonderful atmosphere with horse people all around, and you feel really welcome, so every time I love to compete in Great Britain.”
The Rolex Grand Prix made it a double on the day for Bettendorf, who won the CSI5* Manama Rose Show Stakes earlier in the morning, aboard Atchoum de la Roque Z. Great Britain’s Jack Whitaker had held the lead of the 1.50m speed competition for the majority of the class, holding off challenges from some of the best riders in the world, however as the penultimate to go, Bettendorf knocked over a second off Whitaker’s time to take the title.
Speaking after the class, Bettendorf said: “Jack had a very good round, but I had an advantage as I had managed to watch his round before I got on, so I knew what I had to do. I wasn’t that confident, as he [Atchoum de la Roque Z] had three down in the big class yesterday, but he felt really good today, so I’m really happy to end the week like this with him.”
The day’s Show Jumping action got underway with The Defender Under 25 Jumping Competition, which showcased some of the country’s most promising young riders. Three of the 40 starters progressed to the jump-off, but after both Lauren Caroline and Lottie Tutt incurred faults, the pressure shifted to Grace Shudall as the final rider to go. Knowing a clear round would secure victory, she held her nerve to deliver exactly that.
A delighted Shudall said: “This is the biggest win of my career – it’s very special to win here at Windsor. I’ve had Firefly since he was four years old and produced him all the way, so it makes this win even more special. It makes all the hard work worth it! The pressure was on because I had to jump clear to win, but I know I can rely on him [Firefly] – he always gives one hundred and ten per cent!”
DRIES DEGRIECK SECURES DRIVING VICTORY FOR BELGIUM
Belgium’s Dries Degrieck claimed victory in the CAIO4*-H4 FEI Driving World Cup™ Qualifier at Royal Windsor Horse Show, as Belgium also secured the team title.
The four-in-hand class attracted a world-class field, featuring the top 20 ranked riders in the world, with American driver Chester Weber taking the early lead after dressage on 34.73 penalties. Degrieck sat second on 38.39, with Australia’s Boyd Exell third on 40.12.
Saturday’s marathon reshuffled the standings. Austria’s Daniel Schneiders posted the best marathon score of 107.22, but Degrieck’s consistency across the first two phases moved him into the overall lead ahead of the final cones phase.
Degrieck then held his nerve in cones, adding nothing to his score to finish on 148.34. Weber also completed cones without penalty to finish second on 149.45, while Ijsbrand Chardon completed the podium on 156.20. Glenn Geerts and Fredrik Persson rounded out the top five.
“It’s amazing to win here at Windsor,” said Degrieck. “We look forward every year to this competition. It’s an amazing show, the organisation is fantastic and the crowd is fantastic. It’s always a happy feeling to be here, so we’re really pleased.
“This year I have a new team and they’re going really well, so I’m very happy with them. They did a really good job and I’m still learning how to drive them, so we’re looking forward to the next competitions.”
Belgium completed a successful competition by winning the team standings, with Degrieck and Geerts’ scores counting towards a final total of 307.60. Germany finished second, with the Netherlands third.
WALKER MAKES IT FOUR IN A ROW
The Show Pony Championship brought together six of the country’s finest ponies, each delivering a display of exceptional quality and elegance. While the standard throughout was outstanding, it was Izzy Walker and Mrs Dianne Hesford’s Stoneleigh Showtime who once again claimed the coveted Champion title – securing an extraordinary fourth consecutive victory and the Lord Wetherall trophy – the most famous trophy of the Showing world.
Walker, who has been competing at the Show since the age of three, partnered the striking bay gelding in a polished and memorable performance that captivated both judges and spectators alike.
Speaking after her win, a delighted Walker said: “It feels absolutely amazing. It’s my last time here riding Charlie [Stoneleigh Showtime], so I was really hoping to make it a special one – and obviously we did. Just riding in the [Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan] Castle Arena is incredible, and to come away as Champion makes it even more special.”
Another standout moment on the final day of the Show was the Intermediate Championship, sponsored by Culford Lodge Commodities. Claudia de La Hey and Royal Illusion – an experienced partnership – claimed the Championship title, while Poppy Carter and Made To Measure delivered an impressive performance to secure the Reserve Champion honours.
