Tag Archives: Royal Windsor Horse Show

The Best Ever International Field Heads to Royal Windsor Horse Show

Royal Windsor Horse Show will welcome the world’s best riders to the private grounds of Windsor Castle from 10-14 May 2017. With international competitions taking place across four equestrian disciplines, including the newly upgraded CSI5* Show Jumping and CDI4* Dressage, the calibre of entries has never been better and includes seven of the World’s top 20 Show Jumpers.

International CSI5* Show Jumping

Heading the field in the CSI5* Show Jumping is World No. 2 Kent Farrington (USA), who will be looking to reclaim his title in the Rolex Grand Prix, the pinnacle event of the Show, with his consistent chestnut gelding, Creedance. Taking place on Sunday 14 May, with an increased prize fund of £258,000, Kent will face stiff competition for the coveted Rolex Grand Prix trophy, including fellow FEI top 10 ranked riders, Eric Lamaze (CAN) and Britain’s Scott Brash.

Scott Brash heads to Windsor with a top string of horses, including in-form mare Ursula XII and the up-and-coming eight-year-old gelding, Hello Mr President. He will be joined by his Olympic gold medal winning teammate Ben Maher (GBR), and home favourites John and Michael Whitaker. Fresh from victory in the Grand Prix of Antwerp, Michael will have a strong hand at Windsor, including Antwerp winner JB’s Hot Stuff, Viking, and the striking grey stallion Cassionato.

Also looking to claim part of the unprecedented total prize fund of £520,000 will be the notoriously speedy Lorenzo de Luca (ITA), twice a winner at Olympia, The London International Horse Show, World No. 14 Bertram Allen (IRL), and Nicola Philippaerts (BEL), recent winner of the Grand Prix at the FEI World Cup™ Finals in Omaha.

The female line-up is particularly strong, headed by Laura Kraut (USA) and Tiffany Foster (CAN), both of whom are ranked amongst the top 20 riders in the world. Jessica Mendoza (GBR) and Laura Renwick (GBR) will be leading the way for the home nation, with Jessica Springsteen (USA) and the always competitive Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER), making up a truly international field.

International CDI4* Dressage

Adding to the international prestige of the Show, the CDI4* Dressage has been upgraded from its previous CDI3* status in 2015, taking centre stage on the evenings of Thursday 11 and Friday 12 May. In 2015, Britain’s Carl Hester was victorious aboard his Rio Olympic companion Nip Tuck. Carl is returning in 2017, this time with new ride, Barolo, a British-bred Hanoverian, which has to-date been produced by Charlotte Dujardin, with the pair winning the 2015 National Championships and moving up to international level in 2016.

Four-time British Olympian, Richard Davison (GBR) will be looking to steal Carl’s crown with homebred gelding Bubblingh, out of his former international ride Ballaseyr Royale, as will compatriot Lara Butler (GBR) who will be contesting her first international of the year with Rubin Al Asad, having set a personal best Grand Prix score in Hagen last year.

Strengthening the home team will be Gloucestershire based Hayley Watson-Greaves (GBR) with Rubins Nite and former British team member Gareth Hughes aboard Don Carissimo, winners of the Grand Prix in Roosendaal in 2016.

Returning to Royal Windsor Horse Show for the first time since 2014 is the flamboyant Italian, Silvia Rizzo, known for her style and flair, as well as Roland Tong (IRE) riding Rybrook Ambience, the reserve partnership for the Irish team at the 2016 Olympic Games.

New Zealand’s leading combination, Wendi Williamson and Dejavu MH, winners of the FEI World Cup™ Pacific League last year, will be looking to put up a strong challenge, as will young rider Caroline Chew (SGP), silver medal winner at the South East Asian Games.

International CAIO4*/CAI3* Driving

With drivers from 14 nations participating, the Land Rover CAIO4* International Driving Grand Prix promises to bring spectacular competition to Windsor Home Park from Thursday 11 to Sunday 14 May. Among the 25 competitors in the horse fours is Australia’s Boyd Exell, reigning World Champion and seven-time winner at Royal Windsor, as well as seven-time FEI World Cup™ Champion, for which this competition is a Qualifier.

Boyd will be closely challenged by all three members of the Netherlands’ World Championship gold medal winning team, Ijsbrand Chardon, Koos de Ronde and Theo Timmerman, who collectively have been unbeaten at a World Championship since 2008.

Horse pairs makes a welcome return to Royal Windsor Horse Show with a CAI3* competition. 24 competitors from 12 countries will do battle with a three-strong GB contingent, including James Broome, the current Advanced Horse Pairs GB National Champion and son of legendary Show Jumping personality, David Broome.

Previous World Champion gold and silver medallists, Harrie Verstappen (NED) and Beat Schenk (SUI) respectively, are also competing, while USA husband-and-wife team, Kathrin and Scott Dancer, each make a Royal Windsor debut.

Pony fours fields a strong GB team, including National Champion, Sara Howe. They will find themselves up against stiff opposition from the ever-improving Tinne Bax (BEL), as well as Jan de Boer (NED) and his Welsh ponies, who claimed his sixth Royal Windsor win here last year.

International CEI2* Endurance

On Friday 12 May, Royal Windsor Endurance will come to Windsor Great Park, with 120 horses taking part and riders representing 14 nations. Joining the 120km CEI2* are two new competitions for 2017, a CEI1* 80km and a National 40km Graded Endurance Ride.

Tickets to watch this year’s action can be purchased at www.rwhs.co.uk or by telephoning the box office on 0844 581 4960 from the UK and +44 (0)121 7966290 internationally. Local residents can purchase tickets by contacting Windsor Information Centre on 01753 743589.

For more information, please contact Gayle Telford, Revolution Sports + Entertainment E: gayle@revolutionsports.co.uk T: + 44 (0)203 176 0355

First Entries Announced for Royal Windsor Horse Show 2017

Organisers of Royal Windsor Horse Show have announced an outstanding list of national competitors for this year’s Show, which takes place in the private grounds of Windsor Castle from 10-14 May 2017.

National Showing

The Showing line-up includes stars such as Allister Hood, competing aboard Our Cashel Blue in a bid to defend their title as Lightweight Cob. The duo has celebrated a phenomenal year after being crowned Supreme Champion at Horse of the Year Show in 2016. Jayne Ross will be back in action with 16 rides including Cob in Hood, with whom she will be seeking to reverse last year’s Lightweight Cob outcome, after narrowly missing out to Hood and Our Cashel Blue.

Ross spoke in anticipation of the event. “There’s an aura about Windsor, from the moment you arrive. There’s just nothing like it; it’s so special.”

Helen Newbold, well-known for her career in retraining racehorses, will be returning with her horse Tycoons Reflection to compete for the RoR Tattersalls Thoroughbred Ridden Show Horse Championship, after narrowly missing out on first place at last year’s event.

Top producer, Robert Walker, will be aiming to repeat his 2015 success aboard Randlestown Rolex, when the pair won the Novice Cob. The partnership came a close second in the Lightweight Cob last year and will be returning to this year’s edition with the hope of moving up the leader-board to claim the title.

Royal Windsor Horse Show Director, Simon Brooks-Ward, said: “Showing is of great importance to the event; it’s very good to see the level of entries growing year-on-year, with the standard of competition increasing with the Show’s popularity.”

National Show Jumping

Alongside the 5* International Jumping classes, the National Jumping line-up will have spectators glued to the action as many of the world’s top riders announce their attendance, including Olympic Team Gold Medallist Ben Maher (GBR), who will be joined by a field of fellow Brits in the National classes. The notoriously speedy Guy Williams is set to grip spectators as he will be attempting a one-two in the Olympic Star Spotters Competition for 6-Year-Old Horses. Adding to the list of contenders will be husband and wife, William and Pippa Funnell. Also, joining Pippa from the world of eventing will be Bumble Thomas and Emily Llewellyn.

Britain’s leading-female Show Jumper, Laura Renwick, will be returning in hope of matching last year’s success. Renwick will be battling against seasoned competitor and former Olympian Tim Stockdale (GBR), who is set to return to the Show, along with rising star and son, Joseph, who will both be contending for top place in the Grades B & C Handicap Jumping Competition.

Another family with more than one representative is the Breens. Brothers Trevor and Shane have a longstanding success in Show Jumping, Shane a previous winner of the Royal Windsor Horse Show Grand Prix, and Trevor a two-time winner of the Hickstead Derby.

Alfie Bradstock is also from a family with strong equestrian heritage, his father being Cheltenham Gold Cup winning National Hunt Trainer Mark Bradstock. Competing at top level since the age of 14, Alfie became the first junior rider to represent Britain at Eventing and Show Jumping in the same year, winning European Eventing gold medals at both Under-16 and Under 18 levels. With his focus now turned to Show Jumping, Alfie will be riding at Royal Windsor for former Team GB Show Jumpers Graham and Tina Fletcher.

Tickets to watch this year’s action can be purchased at www.rwhs.co.uk or by telephoning the box office on 0844 581 4960 from the UK and +44 (0)121 7966290 internationally. Local residents can purchase tickets by contacting Windsor Information Centre on 01753 743589.

For more information, please contact Gayle Telford, Revolution Sports + Entertainment
E: gayle@revolutionsports.co.uk T: + 44 (0)203 176 0355

Nick Skelton and Gold Medal Partner, Big Star, to Retire at Royal Windsor Horse Show

Royal Windsor Horse Show is honoured to announce that 2016 Olympic Individual Gold Medallist, Nick Skelton, has chosen to officially retire, along with his Olympic horse Big Star, at Royal Windsor Horse Show on Sunday 14 May 2017.

A true legend of the sport, Nick Skelton’s show jumping career has spanned four decades and includes seven Olympic Games and 20 championship medals. Since his first international championship in 1973, Skelton has consistently remained at the top of his game with the ultimate highlight being his most recent success at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, where he secured an Individual Gold Medal with his stallion Big Star.

Skelton has also been credited with one of the greatest comebacks of all time after a fall in 2000 left him with serious injuries, including a broken neck, and forced him into early retirement. However, Skelton defied the odds to recover and made a courageous decision to start competing again. Skelton’s story captured the hearts of those who witnessed his victory at the Olympics, with the tear-jerking gold medal podium moment voted one of the highlights of the Games. The British public showed their support and respect for Skelton’s achievement by voting for him to take third place in the 2016 BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

Big Star, owned by Gary & Beverley Widdowson, has been partnered by Skelton since he was bought as a five-year-old. Big Star has helped Skelton to win two Olympic Gold Medals, numerous major Grand Prix titles and consistently delivered clear rounds for Great Britain in Nations Cup competitions. The fourteen-year-old stallion will be officially retired on the Sunday of Royal Windsor Horse Show in the Castle Arena in front of HM The Queen.

Royal Windsor Horse Show Show Director, Simon Brooks-Ward, spoke of the decision. “Nick Skelton is not only a legend of equestrian sport but of the whole sporting world. What he has achieved in his career is remarkable and we are honoured he has chosen Royal Windsor Horse Show as the place to officially retire along with Big Star.

We are delighted that our ticket holders will have the opportunity to be there for this special occasion and we will make sure that both Nick Skelton and Big Star get the send-off they truly deserve.”

Tickets can be purchased at www.rwhs.co.uk or by telephoning the box office on 0844 581 4960 from the UK and +44 (0) 121 796 6290 internationally. Tickets also available locally at Windsor Information Centre either over the counter or by telephoning +44 (0) 1753 743907.

For more information, please contact Gayle Telford, Revolution Sports + Entertainment
E: gayle@revolutionsports.co.uk T: +44 203 176 0355

National Entries Now Open for Royal Windsor Horse Show

Organisers of Royal Windsor Horse Show have announced that National entries for the prestigious five-day event, taking place from 10-14 May, 2017, will open at 10am on Thursday 2 March.

As the largest outdoor equestrian competition in the country, the five-day spectacle is the highpoint of the summer show calendar, with competitors travelling from across the UK to attain one of the many sought-after titles. With over 175 classes on offer, organisers are expecting a record number of entries.

Competitors in this year’s highly-anticipated Showing classes have been given a greater incentive, as selected champions across the five days will have the opportunity to compete to be the overall Supreme Ridden Champion of Royal Windsor Horse Show.

Traditional classes such as the In-Hand Showing will be back in the private grounds of Windsor Castle, along with some welcome additions to the schedule, such as the return of the Pure Bred Arab, Ridden class. After a 15-year absence from the Royal Windsor Showing schedule, the show Committee called for the return as a movement to accommodate the increased popularity of the class.

Riders will be competing in front of many of the best UK judges and this year they will be joined by leading international Showing judge Gregory Goss, from South Africa. Goss, who will be overseeing the Ridden Hacks and Ridden Show Pony Class, speaks of his excitement for Royal Windsor:

“It is a great honour to be judging at Royal Windsor Horse Show, one of the most prestigious shows in the world. It is such a fantastic setting and there is always an extremely high standard of competition. It’s the one everybody wants to win.”

Britain’s best up and coming Dressage riders will have the opportunity to grace the Castle Arena on Wednesday 10 May in the Advanced Medium Freestyle to Music. Entry to this class is by invitation only to those who have qualified at the NAF Five Star Dressage Winter Championships, being held at Hartpury College on 15 and 16 April.

On Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 May, the National Show Jumping classes will host top British riders in a variety of classes from Grade A to Grade C level. This includes a 1.40m Grade A & B Competition with a prize fund of £4,800, as well as an Olympic Star Spotters Competition for 6-year-old horses.

For the first time at Royal Windsor, Oxford and Cambridge will be furthering their university rivalry as they battle it out in Varsity Dressage and Show Jumping, taking place on Saturday 13 May. This will be followed by an Inter Schools Show Jumping Competition, a great opportunity for the younger generation of riders to take to the big stage.

For more information and how to enter, please click here.

Tickets to Royal Windsor Horse Show can be purchased at www.rwhs.co.uk or by telephoning the box office on 0844 581 4960 from the UK; for local bookings call the Windsor Information Centre on  01753 743589 and +44 (0)121 7966290 internationally.

For more information, please contact Gayle Telford, Revolution Sports + Entertainment E: gayle@revolutionsports.co.uk T: +44 (0)203 176 0355

A New Status for Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2017

Royal Windsor Horse Show will set new standards in 2017 as it welcomes CSI5* Show Jumping to the Private Grounds of Windsor Castle. The Show Jumping will be a highlight of the five-day event which takes place from 10-14 May and features top-class equestrian action in four equestrian disciplines and more than 120 showing classes. This year the Show incorporates some exciting new additions.

The newly upgraded CSI5* Show Jumping will be a highlight of the Windsor programme as elite international riders take to the Castle Arena to compete for a total prize fund of £520,000. At the pinnacle of the competition will be the inaugural Rolex Grand Prix on Sunday 14 May, with an unprecedented £258,000 in prize money.

Adding to the international standing of the event, the CDI4* Dressage competition has been upgraded from its previous CDI3* status when it last featured in 2015. The Grand Prix and Freestyle to Music will take centre stage during the evening performances on Thursday and Friday respectively and are set to see the top riders battle it out for the enhanced 4* prize.

One of the most important Driving events in the UK, the Land Rover CAIO4* International Driving Grand Prix, takes place from Thursday 11 to Sunday 14 May. Contenders will be competing not only for the Royal Windsor Horse Show title but to qualify for the FEI World Cup™ Final. 2017 sees the welcome return of the Horse Pairs to the Grand Prix, which were last a part of the competition in 2014, and this year will be competing at CAIO3* level.

On Friday 12 May competitors will take to Windsor Great Park for the CEI2* 120km and new CEI1* 80km Endurance rides. Alongside these international rides, Royal Windsor now offers National riders the opportunity to qualify for the EGB Cup, through the introduction of a 40km National Ride. Run in accordance with FEI rules, the event will give National competitors a flavour of International competition.

Royal Windsor Horse Show plays host to some of the most important Showing classes in the UK, such as the Land Rover Mountain and Moorland Supreme Championship and the RoR Tattersalls Thoroughbred Ridden Show Horse Championship, which last year was won by HM The Queen’s homebred, Barber’s Shop. Organisers are delighted the Ridden Purebred Arab class will return after a prolonged absence.  Furthermore, this year will also see the introduction of the Supreme Ridden Show Champion, an opportunity for selected champions across the five days to compete to be the overall Showing Champion of Royal Windsor.

In an entirely new competition, the longstanding Oxford vs Cambridge rivalry will take to unfamiliar heights as the two universities will be battling it out in a Varsity Dressage and Show Jumping class taking place on Saturday 13, each team bidding to finish on top of their old adversaries.

Show Director, Simon Brooks-Ward, said: “Royal Windsor Horse Show is set to be better than ever in 2017. Not only will we see some of the best international Show Jumpers at Windsor this year through the elevation of the Show Jumping to 5* level, which put us alongside the best international horse shows in the world, but there are also lots of exciting new additions to the schedule.”

Away from the competitive action, spectators will be treated to entertaining displays including The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, the Musical Ride of The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, the DAKS Pony Club Mounted Games, and The Shetland Pony Grand National.

Entry Tickets are available from just £17 and for those seeking a more exclusive experience, the Members Enclosure is also available. New for 2017 is the introduction of the Windsor Enclosure, offering an additional ticket tier, allowing pre-booked grand stand seating and access to a dedicated bistro, bar and lawn on the north-east end of the Castle Arena.

Tickets to Royal Windsor Horse Show can be purchased at www.rwhs.co.uk or by telephoning the box office on 0844 581 4960 from the UK and +44 (0)121 7966290 internationally.

For more information, please contact Gayle Telford, Revolution Sports + Entertainment
E: gayle@revolutionsports.co.uk T: +44 (0)203 176 0355

Tickets on Sale for 5* Royal Windsor Horse Show

Elite and global competition comes to Windsor next year, with 5* Show Jumping, 4* Dressage, Nations Cup Carriage Driving and 2* Endurance all taking place over the course of the five-day Horse Show which has become the largest outdoor equestrian event in the country.

The Show will have a total prize fund of over £520,000 – the largest of any UK outdoor show – which includes €275,000 for the newly introduced Rolex Grand Prix.  This will be the largest single prize for a 5* Show Jumping class in the UK.

Royal Windsor Horse Show is a highlight of the British equestrian calendar and kicks off the busy summer show season. The 2017 event has been boosted by the announcement of Rolex as a new Official Partner; they join long established partners Land Rover, Laurent-Perrier, DAKS, Hermès, The Dorchester Collection, Musto and Martin Collins Enterprises.

Show Director, Simon Brooks-Ward, said: “2017 is an extremely exciting year for Royal Windsor Horse Show with the elevation to 5* level, putting us alongside the best international horse shows in the world. Our sponsors and supporters are vital partners in this event and we’re delighted that Rolex has come on board to join our family.”

In addition to the international Show Jumping on offer, equestrian enthusiasts can also enjoy top-class Showing, with over 140 classes planned into the busy showing programme which includes, newly introduced this year, a Supreme Show Championship. As always, HM The Queen will be keeping a watchful eye on the competition, having had a highly successful 2016 show when she competed her ex-racehorse Barber’s Shop.

On Friday 12th May the already established 120km CEI2* Royal Windsor Endurance will take place in Windsor Great Park. This year, it will be joined by a CEI1* 80km and an Endurance GB 40km ride, all conducted under FEI rules.

Furthermore, the Show will again host the Land Rover CAIO4* International Driving Grand Prix, which will take place over four days of the Show and include an FEI World Cup™ Qualifier for the Four-In-Hand class, and will see a welcome return of the Horse Pairs.

Evening performances will be back for 2017 with 4* Dressage Grand Prix and Freestyle to Music on Thursday and Friday respectively and 5* Show Jumping on Saturday. All evening performances will include displays from The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery.

Tickets for the show are now on sale and once again, Royal Windsor Horse Show organisers are delighted to offer free admission to all visitors on the opening day of the show, dubbed as ‘Windsor Wednesday’ on 10th May (free tickets must be reserved in advance). Tickets for evening performances can be purchased separately or jointly with day tickets and there are options to reserve grandstand seating in prime positions.

The general admission ticket price for adults on Thursday 11th May is £17.00 and £20.00 on Friday 12th May. On Saturday 13th May and Sunday 14th May showground entry is £27.50 for adults and £14.00 for children. There are discounts for group bookings and concessions as well as family value tickets for two adults and three children for £70 on either Saturday or Sunday.

For those seeking a more exclusive experience at Royal Windsor, packages are now also available to purchase offering access to the Members Enclosure or the new Windsor Enclosure. The premium Members Enclosure has seating alongside the Royal Enclosure, a Members restaurant, bar and terrace all of which overlook the main Castle Arena. The Windsor Enclosure is a new introduction to Royal Windsor and provides an enclosure with a bistro, bar and lawn on the north-east end of the Castle Arena and pre-booked seating in proximity to the Royal Enclosure.

All tickets can be purchased at www.rwhs.co.uk or by telephoning the box office on 0844 581 4960 from the UK and +44 (0)1753 743589 internationally.

For more information, please contact Gayle Telford, Revolution Sports + Entertainment
E: gayle@revolutionsports.co.uk T: + 44 (0)203 176 0355

Royal Windsor Horse Show
The Show will take place from 10th-14th May 2017. Over 55,000 visitors are expected to attend the Show which offers its audience an extensive programme of first class equestrian competition and displays in 5 arenas.

The displays in the main Castle Arena include The Musical Ride of The Household Calvary Mounted Regiment, The Musical Drive of the King’s Troop RHA, The DAKS Pony Club Mounted Games and The Shetland Pony Grand National. As well as the equestrian competitions and activities, there are over 220 shops in the Shopping Village, with a wide range of products for sale, from jewellery and fashion, to food and drink. Her Majesty the Queen has attended every year since it started in 1943 and it is the only time of the year that the private grounds of Windsor Castle are open to the public. Royal Windsor Horse Show is organised by HPower Group, also organisers of Olympia, The London International Horse Show www.hpower.co.uk.

International Celebrations at Royal Windsor Horse Show

Kent Farrington receiving his trophy for the Kingdom of Bahrain Stakes for The King’s Cup from HM The Queen and Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, The King of Bahrain.

The promotion to 4* status had a magnificent effect on this year’s Royal Windsor Horse Show which took place from Thursday 12th to Sunday 15th May.

The upgraded status of the show attracted some of the world’s top riders and the competition was fierce across all disciplines, providing a fantastic spectacle for the thousands of visitors attending over the four days.

Despite the cancellation of ‘Windsor Wednesday’ due to incessant rain and flooding, the resilient British public turned out in force for the remaining days and ticket sales were up by 20% day on day compared to previous years.

Spectators enjoyed world-class equestrian sport and fabulous international entertainment in the stunning grounds of Windsor Castle – the only time of the year that HM The Queen opens up the private grounds to the public.

There was a real international feel to the event this year, with international competitions in Show Jumping, Driving and Endurance as well as spectacular displays from acts from around the world including the Canadian Mounted Police, The Chilean Huasos and the Dancers and Karabakh horses and dancers from Azerbaijan, all of which were taking part in The Queen’s 90th Birthday Celebration, which took place on each evening of the event.

Show Director, Simon Brooks-Ward, said: “This year’s event was very special. Not only did we have the upgraded status of the show to 4* level, thus attracting some of the world’s top equestrian athletes, but there was a celebratory feel to the whole event with The Queen’s 90th Birthday Celebrations in the evening.”

No fewer than five Olympic gold medallists were amongst the entries of the newly upgraded CSI 4* International Show Jumping classes at Royal Windsor Horse Show to kick start a summer where all eyes lead to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

It was World No. 6 Kent Farrington who stole the show, taking the two feature events of the weekend, the Grand Prix for the Kingdom of Bahrain Trophy, as well as the Kingdom of Bahrain Stakes for The King’s Cup. Riding the speedy Creedance, the American visitor was on flying form taking both classes by over a second from second place riders John Whitaker and Tiffany Foster respectively.

The Rolex Testimonee, who was competing at Royal Windsor Horse Show for the first time, was thrilled with the results, which saw him presented with The King’s Cup by The Queen. “What more can I ask for? I’ve never been here before, so we’re off to a great start, and with this being The Queen’s Birthday Celebration too, it’s a great moment.”

Despite the international fields, with riders from 13 countries taking part in the 4* competitions, the opening day of the Show was dominated by Great Britain. Robert Whitaker and Catwalk IV returned to the scene of their 2015 Grand Prix victory to win the Bahrain Pearl Stakes and Guy Williams took the Manama Speed Stakes aboard chestnut gelding Casper De Muze.

In other action, there was a scintillating win for Britain’s leading lady rider, Laura Renwick, who was victorious in The Falcon Stakes riding Heliodor Hybris and France’s Adeline Hecart, who returned after a successful 2015 Royal Windsor Horse Show, to take the Palm Accumulator.

“It is my favourite show in the world,” she said. “Last year, the atmosphere was amazing and the people who come here are so knowledgeable and appreciative of horses. But this year you can really feel that there is something more and sense how much people love The Queen and want to celebrate her birthday.”

With his magnificent four-in-hand warmbloods, reigning World Champion, Boyd Exell from Australia, drove to victory in the final phase of the Land Rover International Driving Grand Prix, reclaiming the win that has been his six times previously.

“We’ve been second for the last two years,” smiled a relieved Exell. “I lost it in the cones last year and I really did not want to do that again.” He added, “I’ve been trying out new combinations of horses in recent years but these ones have really gone well for me.”

Exell was in first place going into the final day, but the pressure did not get to him as he drove a sure and clean double clear to take his seventh Royal Windsor win.

Pony four-in-hands provided an even more nail-biting finale with Jan de Boer and his Welsh Section As claiming victory at Royal Windsor for the sixth time, with Germany’s Michael Bugener and Vilmos Jambor Jr, both competing for the first time here, taking second and third.

In the Nations Cup competition, the Netherlands – Ijsbrand Chardon, Koos de Ronde and Theo Timmerman – never looked like relinquishing the first place they held since the first day. Germany – Rainer Duen, Marieke Harm and Christoph Sandmann – also retained their second position throughout but Belgium – Dries Degrieck and Edouard Simonet – overtook the Australian team for third place on the final day.

Royal Windsor Horse Show is seen as the early season mecca of showing and this year saw riders of all ages share the limelight.

Fittingly at a Show that was celebrating Her Majesty The Queen’s 90th birthday, The Queen had a particularly successful few days. For the second year running, her homebred Barber’s Shop, ridden by Katie Jerram, landed the RoR Tattersalls Thoroughbred Ridden Show Horse Championship on Thursday whereas black Fell mare Murthwaite Dawn Chorus delighted her owner by winning her class and then going on to stand reserve supreme in-hand mountain and moorland champion on Friday.

In ridden ranks on Friday, Clare Twiston-Davies’s reigning Horse of the Year Show cob champion Randalstown Musketeer took his first Royal Windsor title for Wales based producer Vicky Hesford.

Britain’s glorious native breeds took centre stage on Saturday, with the top spot going to Newbury based Hannah Horton with Lady Huntingdon’s stunning Connemara Slieve Bloom Jill with her first Royal Windsor native title. Elsewhere, the prestigious show pony title went to Yorkshire based combination Georgina Holmes and her 148cm winner Wilderness Early Bird.

One of the most popular winners in the working hunter pony division on Sunday was the 18-year-old 143cm grey gelding Carnsdale Casper, owned by the Beaconsfield based Wrennall family, ridden by twelve-year-old Katie Wrennall. Another game veteran of the pony ranks, 16-year-old CJs Tonto, accounted for the 133cm division, but the section title went to Sophie Lawes and her 135cm bay mare Carnsdale Vanity Fair.

Winning rider Saif Ahmed Al Mozroui rides Ramaah to the finish line (left) with SH Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum
Winning rider Saif Ahmed Al Mozroui rides Ramaah to the finish line (left) with SH Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum

Saif Ahmed Al Mozroui of the UAE triumphed at Royal Windsor Endurance kindly supported by the Kingdom of Bahrain. Riding Ramaah he finished in a time of 04:41:27, almost six minutes clear of the second placed rider, Mohammed Adbulsamad from Bahrain on Derrom Galiem, who was just one second ahead of third placed Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum on Intisaar, also from the UAE.

Ramaah’s trainer, Ismael Mohammed, said: “It is a really good result for the UAE, starting off the summer season with this win. We came here with good horses and we were hoping for this result.”

Now in its fourth year, a field of 52 competitors from a record thirteen nations set off into Windsor Great Park to complete four loops, and a total distance of 120km. The course included the home straight of Ascot Racecourse on loop one, and a number of picturesque landmarks and backdrops throughout. Despite the recent torrential rain, conditions out on the course were excellent and the average speed of Al Mozroui was a brisk 25.6 kilometres per hour.

Royal Windsor Endurance Director, Michael Shephard, said: “We are very pleased to have hosted another successful ride in this beautiful setting, and delighted to have had more countries than ever on the start line. The weather was very kind to us and the competition as fierce as ever.”

For full results, please click here.

For more information, please contact:
Gayle Telford
Revolution Sports + Entertainment
E: gayle@revolutionsports.co.uk T: +44 (0)207 592 1207

Further information can be found on www.rwhs.co.uk.

Royal Windsor Horse Show Concludes in Front of a Packed Audience

The final day of Royal Windsor Horse Show combined top class sport and entertainment as the excitement builds ahead of The Queen’s 90th Birthday Celebration in Home Park (Private).

A full house of enthusiastic visitors witnessed the USA’s Kent Farrington claim the biggest spoils of the week in the Grand Prix for the Kingdom of Bahrain Trophy. Despite a valiant challenge by Britain’s John Whitaker (Argento), who thrilled the home crowd, the American visitor took the win with the super speedy Creedance.

After an exciting first round, 14 riders came through with faultless score cards to the jump-off. Canada’s Tiffany Foster, riding Brit Ben Maher’s former London Olympic gold medal winning ride Tripple X III, was second to go and held the lead for almost half the second phase with her clean performance. She was toppled from pole position when Kent smashed her target by three seconds, causing those watching to whoop in delight at the display of calculated horsemanship.

John then tried to steal the win for the home crowd, but finished one second adrift despite a strong start out on the shortened course.

“Up to the planks [halfway around the track] I knew I was quicker,” said John, who praised Royal Windsor Horse Show’s move to four-star jumping. “Then he spooked at something. I don’t know what it was, so I ended up doing two or three strides more than Kent.”

The final double clear of the class came from Italy’s Piergiorgio Bucci (Casallo Z), but a steadier round than the two prior faultless performers meant third place and handed victory to Kent.

“Creedance is a naturally fast horse and was flying out there, but I held my breath a bit when John went,” said Kent. “I grew up watching him and he is still just as good now as he was then.

“I’ve taken two big wins this week so I think I should get out of town quick!”

France’s Adeline Hecart prevented a home win too, this time for Robert Smith (Cimano E) in the Palm Accumulator. The 20-year-old pinched back 0.01sec from the Brit’s long-time target to steal her second Royal Windsor win in two years with Questions D’Orval.

“There weren’t really many places to make up extra time, so I think there was a bit of luck involved,” said Adeline, who won last year’s winning round competition with the 12-year-old mare.

A huge fan of the show, Adeline is delighted to be here during this special year.

“It is my favourite show in the world,” she said. “Last year, the atmosphere was amazing and the people who come here are so knowledgeable and appreciative of horses. But this year you can really feel that there is something more and sense how much people love The Queen and want to celebrate her birthday.”

ExellWith his magnificent four-in-hand warmbloods, reigning World Champion, Boyd Exell from Australia, drove to victory in the final phase of the Land Rover International Driving Grand Prix at Royal Windsor, reclaiming the win that has been his six times previously.

“We’ve been second for the last two years,” smiled a relieved Exell. “I lost it in the cones last year and I really did not want to do that again.” He added, “I’ve been trying out new combinations of horses in recent years but these ones have really gone well for me. They got me out of trouble in obstacle seven yesterday when we almost took a wrong turn.”

Exell was in first place as the final phase began, but the pressure mounted as the top drivers began recording double clear rounds. Four-time World Champion, Ijsbrand Chardon, was less than one cones penalty behind Exell and is usually exemplary in this section. However, uncharacteristically, he had two balls down which dropped him behind fellow countryman Koos de Ronde and German driver Christoph Sandmann and gave the current World Champion a bit of breathing space. He didn’t need it – he drove a sure and clean double clear to take his seventh Royal Windsor win.

The cones course was designed by experienced course designer, Richard Nicolls from the USA, and was described by competitors as ‘classic Nicolls’.

“They know that I design course that are flowing but technical,” he said. “There are changes of rein and various options but I don’t like mad dashes across the arena or a course that constantly doubles back on itself. It’s better for the drivers if the course flows and it is better for spectators too.”

Pony four-in-hands provided an even more nail-biting finale. Saturday’s marathon winner, Germany’s Michael Bugener, lying in third place overall attacked the course with vigour; it earned him a round that was clear on time but at the expense of 12 penalty points. In second place at this stage, Jan de Boer from the Netherlands drove confidently and steadily, also making the time but picking up just 3 penalties. In the lead, Vilmos Jambor jr from Hungary drove with some caution – he dropped behind on time, but more punishingly accrued 9 penalties. Jan de Boer and his Welsh Section As, therefore, claimed the win at Royal Windsor for the sixth time with Bugener and Jambor jr, both competing for the first time here, taking second and third.

“I’m particularly pleased with the new pony I have in the wheel,” said the delighted Dutchman, who last won here two years ago. “I felt I really had to look after him in the marathon, particularly in the first obstacles, as he is still inexperienced.”

In the Nations Cup competition, the Netherlands – Ijsbrand Chardon, Koos de Ronde and Theo Timmerman – never looked like relinquishing the first place they have held since the first day. Germany – Rainer Duen, Marieke Harm and Christoph Sandmann – also retained their second position throughout, but Belgium – Dries Degrieck and Edouard Simonet – overtook Australia for third place.

Working hunter ponies delighted a packed audience around the Frogmore arena this morning. One of the most popular winners was the 18-year-old 143cm grey gelding Carnsdale Caspar, owned by the Beaconsfield based Wrennall family, beautifully ridden by Katie Wrennall, 12. The still enthusiastic campaigner jumped one of only two clears over a demanding course.

Another game veteran, 16-year-old CJs Tonto, accounted for the 133cm division, but the section title went to Sophie Lawes and her 135cm bay mare Carnsdale Vanity Fair.

For full results, please click here.

For more information, please contact:
Gayle Telford
Revolution Sports + Entertainment
E: gayle@revolutionsports.co.uk T: +44 (0)207 592 1207

Further information can be found on www.rwhs.co.uk.

Glorious Day of Equestrian Sport at Royal Windsor Horse Show

Another actioned packed day at Royal Windsor Horse Show included victory for one of the world’s finest riders and saw Trooper Thomas Evans RHG/D awarded The Best Turned Out Trooper in the sunny grounds of Home Park (Private).

The Queen was present at prize giving ceremonies in the Castle Arena, including the Kingdom of Bahrain Stakes for The King’s Cup and Her Majesty The Queen’s Challenge Cup for Service Team Jumping.

The feature class of the day, the Kingdom of Bahrain Stakes for The King’s Cup, turned into a scintillating race against the clock, with World No. 6 Kent Farrington coming out on top in the eight horse jump-off. Great Britain’s Joe Davison produced a beautiful clear round as first to go in the jump-off, setting a time of 36.79 seconds; however, with notably fast riders to follow, his lead was soon relinquished. Kent, riding the nine-year-old chestnut gelding Creedance, showed why he is amongst the best riders in the world, posting an impressive time of 31.86, over a second faster than eventual second Tiffany Foster.

The Rolex Testimonee, who is competing at Royal Windsor Horse Show for the first time, was thrilled with the result. “What more can I ask for. I’ve never been here before, so we’re off to a great start, and with this being The Queen’s Birthday Celebration too, it’s a great moment.”

The second World Ranking class of the day went to Great Britain’s leading lady rider Laura Renwick, who took the Falcon Stakes. The unique class format, whereby the winner of each of the seven groups in the first round, along with the fastest losers, went through to the jump-off, caused much excitement amongst the packed crowd. Lorenzo De Luca held the lead after posting a challenging time of 28.03, but Renwick, who was last to go into the arena, was class personified and cut over a second off his time to take the victory aboard Heliodor Hybris.

Her Majesty The Queen’s Challenge Cup for Service Team Jumping was claimed by The Household Cavalry Team B with the only faultless tally at the end of two rounds. The trio of riders included Major Housby-Skeggs (Hightide), Corporal of the Horse Lacey (Nudger) and Captain Chambers (Freeway).

Cool sunny weather and good footing underhoof gave the 28 horse four-in-hand and 10 pony four-in-hand competitors perfect conditions for the cross-country marathon. Going in reverse order of placings in both classes, attention necessarily became more focused as the classes drew on, but there was plenty of good sport from competitors throughout.

“This was a really good marathon that bought the best out in contestants,” said President of the Ground Jury, GB’s Andrew Counsell. “It allowed those who did not excel at dressage to make up ground and improve their positions with skillful driving here, perhaps particularly in the pony four-in-hands.”

ExellIn the lead after dressage and therefore last to go in the horse four-in-hands, Boyd Exell from Australia drove with notable steadiness but always keeping in touch with the timings of his fellow competitors. The pressure on him increased, however, in the penultimate obstacle where he lost significant seconds as his leaders went either side of a post. Correcting the situation smoothly, he proved his competitive professionalism yet again as he drove quickly and cleanly through the final obstacle to record the second fastest time through it; he thus retained his first place at this stage.

Ijsbrand Chardon from the Netherlands, in joint second before the marathon, was looking to catch up Exell throughout – and he nearly did: he drove a fast, fluent marathon to win this section and to move up to less than one-cone penalty behind him. Chardon’s fellow countryman, Koos de Ronde, also drove a clean marathon which improved his position from fourth to third at this point.

Competition was no less determined in the pony four-in-hands, with little quarter given. Overnight leader, Dieter Hofs from Germany slipped out of the running to fifth place with his steady but comparatively slow marathon drive. First place after this phase went to Hungary’s Vilmos Jambor Jr, competing at Royal Windsor for the first time with his Hackney ponies and lying third after Friday’s dressage. Former World Champion and multiple Royal Windsor winner, Jan de Boer from the Netherlands, retained his second place overall with a good marathon drive. The winner of this section, Germany’s Michael Bugener – another making his debut at Royal Windsor – drove a storming marathon to take him from seventh place after dressage to third overall.

Placings in the Nations Cup for horse four-in-hands remained unchanged after the marathon, the Netherlands leading the field some 20 penalties clear of Germany. Australia retains her third placing. The Netherlands have proved invincible at the last seven World Horse Four-in-Hand Championships, taking team gold each time.

Our youngest winner of the day was Toby Johnstone who took the BSPS Heritage Mountain & Moorland Open Lead Rein Class riding Pumphill Fandango.

Britain’s glorious native breeds again took centre stage this morning. The top spot went to Newbury based Hannah Horton with Lady Huntingdon’s stunning Connemara Slieve Bloom Jill with her first Royal Windsor native title.

At the other end of the age range, Angela Pallet’s amazing 18-year-old Welsh Section B gelding Waitwith Westwind romped to victory in his working hunter pony class and stood reserve champion.

The prestigious show pony title went to Yorkshire based combination Georgina Holmes and her 148cm winner Wilderness Early Bird.

Saif Ahmed Al Mozroui of the UAE Friday triumphed at the Royal Windsor Endurance, kindly supported by the Kingdom of Bahrain. Riding Ramaah he finished in a time of 04:41:27, almost six minutes clear of the second placed rider, Mohammed Adbulsamad from Bahrain on Derrom Galiem, who was just one second ahead of third placed Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum on Intisaar, also from the UAE.

Ramaah’s trainer, Ismael Mohammed, said: “It is a really good result for the UAE, starting off the summer season with this win. We came here with good horses and we were hoping for this result.”

Now in its fourth year, a field of 52 competitors from a record thirteen nations set off into Windsor Great Park to complete four loops, and a total distance of 120km. The course included the home straight of Ascot Racecourse on loop one, and a number of picturesque landmarks and backdrops throughout. Despite the recent torrential rain, conditions out on the course were excellent and the average speed of Al Mozroui was a brisk 25.6 kilometres per hour.

Royal Windsor Endurance Director, Michael Shephard, said: “We are very pleased to have hosted another successful ride in this beautiful setting, and delighted to have had more countries than ever on the start line. The weather was very kind to us today and the competition as fierce as ever.”

For full results, please click here.

Tickets are still available for Sunday and can be purchased on www.rwhs.co.uk, via the box office on 0844 581 4960 from the UK and +44 (0) 121 796 6290 internationally. Alternatively, tickets are available locally at Windsor Information Centre either over the counter or by telephoning +44 (0) 1753 743900.

For more information, please contact:
Gayle Telford
Revolution Sports + Entertainment
E: gayle@revolutionsports.co.uk T: +44 (0)207 592 1207

Royal Windsor Horse Show

The Show will take place from 11-15 May 2016. Over 50,000 visitors are expected to attend the 74th year of Royal Windsor Horse Show which offers its audience astounding displays in the main Castle Arena, such as the DAKS Pony Club Mounted Games and The Shetland Pony Grand National. As well as the equestrian competitions and activities, there are over 220 shops in the Shopping Village, with a wide range of goods for sale, from jewellery and fashion, to food and drink. Her Majesty The Queen has attended every year since the Show started in 1943 and it is the only time of the year that the private grounds of Windsor Castle are open to the public. Royal Windsor Horse Show is organised by Windsor Equestrian Promotions Ltd, a part of HPower Group, also organisers of Olympia, The London International Horse Show www.hpower.co.uk.

The Queen’s 90th Birthday Celebration

Due to The Queen’s 90th Birthday Celebration taking place in the evenings following the Horse Show, there will be no evening performances at Royal Windsor Horse Show this year. These will return for 2017. The Horse Show will be ending at about 6pm each day. Royal Windsor Horse Show tickets do not include access to The Queen’s Birthday Celebration and there will be nowhere to watch the performance without The Celebration ticket.

Britain’s Show Jumpers Dominate at Royal Windsor

There was something for everyone at Friday’s Royal Windsor Horse Show, with a Royal victory in the showing ring and the debut of International 4* show jumping bringing the sporting action to new heights.

Guy Williams, renowned for being quick against the clock, set the early pace as third to go in the first International 4* competition of the Show, the Manama Speed Stakes, with an immaculate clear in a time of 26.94 seconds. Those that followed tried in vain to catch Guy at the top of the order, who went away eventual winner aboard the fourteen-year-old chestnut gelding Casper De Muze. The penultimate rider, USA’s Laura Kraut, looked to put Guy’s lead in jeopardy, making all the turns and galloping to the last, creating excitement amongst the packed grandstand; however, her time of 27.23 was only good enough for second place. In third was Joe Davison, son of former Royal Windsor Horse Show Dressage winner Richard Davison, who jumped the two phase track clear in 27.79.

The feature event of the day, the Bahrain Pearl Stakes, saw a global field of 35 world class riders contesting the £7,500 first prize, reflecting the upgraded status of the show to 4* level. Great Britain’s Tim Stockdale was the first to jump clear in the 17 horse jump-off, setting a time of 41.06; however, it was double Olympic gold medallist Beezie Madden who threw down the gauntlet, knocking over five seconds off Tim’s time, stopping the clock in an impressive 36 seconds. The twisty course caused a few problems for those trying to chase the leaders, but home favourite John Whitaker pulled out all the stops jumping clear in 33.62 aboard the stunning stallion Argento to take the lead much to the delight of the Windsor crowd. However, when it looked like John had the class wrapped up, it was son Robert, riding Catwalk IV, who had the final say posting an impressive clear in 32.44 to take the well-deserved victory.

HöfsGermany’s Dieter Höfs took the lead after the first phase of the pony four-in-hand Land Rover International Driving Grand Prix winning the dressage from former World Champion, Jan de Boer of the Netherlands. Höfs was last to go of the ten pony four-in-hands and steered his Welsh ponies through a smooth test to head the class just 2-penalties ahead of the Dutchman.

The sole Hungarian driver at Royal Windsor this year, Vilmos Jambor, took third place with his Hackney ponies some 3 penalties behind de Boer. The only British pony four-in-hand competitor, Sara Howe, a member of Great Britain’s bronze medal winning team at the 2015 Pony World Championships, is currently in fifth place.

The Nations Cup for horse four-in-hands, in which seven Nations are competing, has the Netherlands in the lead at this stage, with Germany second and Australia third. Great Britain is in fifth place behind Belgium.

All competitors in the Land Rover International Driving Grand Prix face the challenging cross-country marathon Saturday. The eight obstacles have been flagged by experienced course designer, Richard Nicoll from the USA, who kindly stepped in when last year’s course designer, Christian Iseli, was taken ill just a few days ago.

MurthwaiteHM The Queen’s black Fell mare Murthwaite Dawn Chorus delighted her owner by winning her class and then going on to stand reserve supreme in-hand mountain and moorland champion. The pony lives at the Royal Mews and is regularly ridden by members of the Royal Family. The winner of the exceptionally high standard class was Broughton Morwena, owned by Lesley Evans.

In ridden ranks, Clare Twiston-Davies’s reigning Horse of the Year Show cob champion Randalstown Musketeer took his first Royal Windsor title for Wales based producer Vicky Hesford.

For full results, please click here.

Tickets are still available for Saturday and Sunday and can be purchased on www.rwhs.co.uk, via the box office on 0844 581 4960 from the UK and +44 (0) 121 796 6290 internationally. Alternatively, tickets are available locally at Windsor Information Centre either over the counter or by telephoning +44 (0) 1753 743900.

For more information, please contact:
Gayle Telford
Revolution Sports + Entertainment
E: gayle@revolutionsports.co.uk T: +44 (0)207 592 1207

Royal Windsor Horse Show

The Show will take place from 11-15 May 2016. Over 50,000 visitors are expected to attend the 74th year of Royal Windsor Horse Show which offers its audience astounding displays in the main Castle Arena, such as the DAKS Pony Club Mounted Games and The Shetland Pony Grand National. As well as the equestrian competitions and activities, there are over 220 shops in the Shopping Village, with a wide range of goods for sale, from jewellery and fashion, to food and drink. Her Majesty The Queen has attended every year since the Show started in 1943 and it is the only time of the year that the private grounds of Windsor Castle are open to the public. Royal Windsor Horse Show is organised by Windsor Equestrian Promotions Ltd, a part of HPower Group, also organisers of Olympia, The London International Horse Show www.hpower.co.uk.

The Queen’s 90th Birthday Celebration

Due to The Queen’s 90th Birthday Celebration taking place in the evenings following the Horse Show, there will be no evening performances at Royal Windsor Horse Show this year. These will return for 2017. The Horse Show will be ending at about 6pm each day. Royal Windsor Horse Show tickets do not include access to The Queen’s Birthday Celebration and there will be nowhere to watch the performance without The Celebration ticket.