Tickets for Royal Windsor Horse Show, which celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2018, will be going on sale at 11am GMT on Tuesday 5 December. The Show takes place from 9 – 13 May 2018 in the private grounds of Windsor Castle and is a five-day celebration of horses and equestrian sport, with entertainment for all the family.
With the World’s leading riders taking part in top level competition across four disciplines, plus a luxury shopping village with over 200 fashion, lifestyle and equestrian boutiques, delicious food stalls and entertaining activities for the kids, the Show regularly attracts an audience of over 50,000.
2018 is set to be better than ever, as the enhanced level of competition, which last year saw the Show Jumping and Dressage upgraded to CSI5* and CDI4* level respectively, is due to attract the world’s best horse and rider combinations.
The CSI5* Show Jumping will showcase the highest level of the sport, as international competitors from around the world prepare for the FEI World Equestrian GamesTM. The pinnacle event will be Sunday’s CSI5* Rolex Grand Prix which, in 2017, saw World No.1 Kent Farrington take the title and the £258,000 prize money.
CDI4* Dressage, will return to the Castle Arena for only the second time, with the Grand Prix and Freestyle to Music taking place during the Thursday and Friday evening performances respectively. The action-packed evening performances will feature a strong supporting cast, including displays from both the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, as well as the much-loved Shetland Pony Grand National and DAKS Pony Club Mounted Games.
One of the most significant driving events in Britain, the CAIO4* Land Rover International Driving Grand Prix, will add to the thrilling line-up of competitive action taking place at Royal Windsor Horse Show. The three-phase competition, consisting of driven-dressage, a marathon stage and cone driving, will take place over four days of the Show, with participants contending to qualify for the FEI World Cup™ Final.
Horse and rider stamina will be tested during Royal Windsor Endurance, taking place in Windsor Great Park on Friday 11 May. Competitors will take to the CEI2* 120km, CEI1* 80km and Endurance GB 40km courses, with all three rides conducted under FEI rules.
The four FEI disciplines will be joined by over 120 Showing classes, the Show being a highlight of the national Showing calendar. Competitors will be striving to be crowned Royal Windsor Horse Show Supreme Ridden Showing Champion, following in the footsteps of Her Majesty The Queen who took the 2017 title with her homebred former racehorse Barbers Shop.
Show Director, Simon Brooks-Ward said: “Royal Windsor Horse Show continues to grow year-on-year and the 2018 Show is expected to be better than ever. As a 5* Show with top class international competition across four FEI disciplines, we are making our mark as one of the best international horse shows in the world.”
Tickets are available from just £9 and allow general access to the Showground, including unreserved seating for the daytime performances in the Castle Arena. The Show will be running a special Windsor Wednesday promotion for local residents, who will be granted free entry on Wednesday 9 May with use of the local Windsor and Maidenhead Advantage Card.
Additional packages are also available for the Windsor Enclosure and Members Enclosure, both of which offer exclusive bars and seating areas. The Windsor Enclosure was a popular addition to the 2017 Show, offering access to a dedicated bistro, bar, and pre-booked seating on the north-east end of the Castle Arena. The Members Enclosure offers premium seating alongside the Royal Enclosure, a Members restaurant, bar and terrace, all of which overlook the Castle Arena.
