Tag Archives: Virtual Windsor

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, Pony, Royal Windsor Horse Show

International Pony Club Dressage Comes to Virtual Windsor

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The Pony Club’s new virtual dressage competition is to be launched as part of the Virtual Windsor Autumn Series 2020. The competition will take pride of place on the Sunday of the online Show, which will be live-streamed from 25-27 September 2020.

Based on The Pony Club Home International Dressage which takes place annually at Royal Windsor Horse Show, the competition has been redesigned for a virtual platform. Teams of four will represent England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland in a first‐of‐its‐kind competition, with each team containing one Novice, one Intermediate, and two Open riders. Any current Pony Club member who fulfils the minimum requirements may enter a video to the Qualifying Competition, of which the highest scores in each country will form the teams. All entries to the Qualifying Competition will be judged and placed, with rosettes to 10th.

The highest placed riders from each country, in each section, will then go forward to film their Home International test. All tests will be judged by a panel of three British Dressage listed judges, one of whom will be completely independent of The Pony Club. The tests and results will be live-streamed as one programme as part of the Virtual Windsor Autumn Series 2020, on Sunday 27 September.

Marcus Capel, CEO of The Pony Club, said, “It is so exciting to have the opportunity to stage our Pony Club Home International Dressage virtually this year. The competition is usually a chance for riders to compete against the backdrop of Windsor Castle so, despite the disappointments that Covid‐19 has brought to 2020, our members will be able to ride at the virtual Royal Windsor Horse Show and to compete in this challenge online.”

Royal Windsor’s Show Director, Simon Brooks‐Ward, said, “We are delighted to be able to announce that The Pony Club Home International Dressage will take place on the Sunday of the Virtual Windsor Autumn Series 2020. The Pony Club is a stepping-stone for so many talented young riders, and during these times it is adapting and overcoming to continue providing education, inspiration, and competition to young riders all over the country. I look forward to seeing the high standard of equestrianism The Pony Club always produces.”

The Virtual Windsor Autumn Series 2020 will run from 25-27 September 2020 with the show itself taking place as a free‐to‐view live-stream available on Facebook, YouTube, and the Virtual Windsor website across the Show Weekend.

VIRTUAL WINDSOR 2020 can be found at https://virtual.rwhs.co.uk/.

For more information, please contact:
Gayle Jenkins / rEvolution / gjenkins@revolutionworld.com / +44 (0)203 176 0355

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, Para-Equestrian, Royal Windsor Horse Show

Riding for the Disabled Association Dressage – A New Virtual Windsor Discipline

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The Virtual Windsor Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) Dressage Challenge will take place for the first time during the Virtual Windsor Autumn Series 2020, streamed live from 25-27 September. The class, for which competitors will film their dressage tests at home and submit them online, gives riders the opportunity to get back to competition while remaining socially distanced.

Run in accordance with RDA rules, the Virtual Windsor RDA Dressage Challenge, supported by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, will be free to enter and open to all Classified riders. Judged as one championship section, competitors will select the appropriate test for their grade from a choice of eight (Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Intellectual Disability Walk Only, Intellectual Disability Walk & Trot, and Intellectual Disability Canter) and submit a video. The tests will then be judged, with the best scores across all tests taking the top places. Judging the competition will be RDA Dressage Lead and Judge John Robinson, who is also a BD List 2A and FEI 4* Para Dressage Judge.

The Virtual Windsor RDA Dressage Challenge will be broadcast as the highlight of the Virtual Windsor livestream on Friday 25 September, during which the finalists’ rounds will be played and the winners announced. The livestream, which will be available on Facebook, YouTube, and the Virtual Windsor website, is free to watch and will remain online to enjoy after the event.

Ed Bracher, Chief Executive of RDA UK, said, “I am delighted that the Virtual Windsor RDA Dressage Challenge will be part of Virtual Windsor’s Autumn Series. With so many competitions having been cancelled, this is a great chance for classified riders – whether they are part of RDA or not – to compete nationally. We are grateful to the organisers for including an RDA class and look forward to this becoming a regular fixture in the Virtual Windsor Series.”

Virtual Windsor’s Show Director, Simon Brooks-Ward, said, “We are delighted to announce that RDA Dressage will be one of the disciplines we host as part of the Virtual Windsor Autumn Series, alongside Online Showing, Equitation Jumping, and the Pony Club Home International Dressage. While 2020 has been a challenging year, with the Virtual Windsor Series we have embraced the opportunity to provide accessible, high-level competition in a format available to all. The standard of competition at the inaugural Virtual Windsor was extremely high, so we are expecting great things from the Autumn and Winter Series.”

The Virtual Windsor Autumn Series 2020 will run from 25-27 September 2020, with entries opening on Friday 14 August and closing on Friday 4 September, and the Show itself taking place as a free‐to-view livestream available on Facebook, YouTube, and the Virtual Windsor website across the Show Weekend.

For more information, please contact:
Gayle Jenkins / rEvolution / gjenkins@revolutionworld.com / +44 (0)203 176 0355

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, Hunter/Equitation, Pony, Royal Windsor Horse Show, Show Jumping

Virtual Windsor Returns for Autumn and Winter Online Horse Show Series

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Following the success of Virtual Windsor in May, the organisers of Royal Windsor Horse Show are delighted to announce that the online Show will be returning as a new series with two editions taking place in the Autumn and Winter. The Virtual Windsor Autumn Series 2020 will be live-streamed on 25-27 September, and will feature three disciplines in which riders from all over the world can participate from their own homes.

The Show will comprise 22 Showing classes, alongside new additions in the form of International Pony Club Dressage, a Riding for the Disabled Association class and a specially designed ‘Equitation Jumping’ discipline open to all. In addition, the popular shopping section will be bringing visitors new products and offers, and there will be yard tours and masterclasses with first-class riders.

THE PONY CLUB HOME INTERNATIONAL DRESSAGE

Leading the charge for Virtual Windsor in September will be the Pony Club Home International Dressage, featuring teams from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland. Previously held at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, the competition pits up-and-coming riders against each other, and this year will be made even more special with live judging and commentary for the audience to enjoy.

The Pony Club Home International Dressage will be a precursor to a worldwide International Dressage competition, to feature in the Virtual Windsor Winter Series later in the year, where teams from all 18 Pony Club countries will be invited to compete in a never-seen-before worldwide Pony Club event.

Marcus Capel, Pony Club Chief Executive, said: “We are hugely pleased to be able to run our Home International Dressage competition on the Virtual Windsor platform this year. The competition highlights the hard work and talent of our young riders, and we hope that by holding it online we will enable many young riders to enjoy and be inspired by the competition from their own homes.”

VIRTUAL SHOWING CLASSES RETURN

Virtual Windsor’s Showing Series returns to your screens, with Chief Judge Nigel Hollings back by popular demand. The May edition of Virtual Windsor saw over 4,000 entries to the Showing coming from as far afield as South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, included both amateur and professional riders and even Her Majesty The Queen. The Virtual Windsor Autumn Series in September will showcase 26 Showing classes, covering everything from Riding Horses and Hunters, to Show Ponies and Side Saddle, while the Winter Series – planned for later in the year – will have an international flavour including horse breeds from around the world such as Quarter Horses, Iberian Breeds, and Arabians. The classes remain free to enter for all.

Nigel Hollings will be joined on the judging panel for the Autumn Series by Julian White, Anne Leaver, and Pat Pattinson. “I am delighted to be returning as Virtual Windsor’s Chief Judge this September, having hugely enjoyed the May Show,” said Hollings. “The standard of entries was incredibly high at the last event and I really enjoy the Virtual format which gives me the opportunity to share feedback with the audience as I judge. I was particularly impressed with the number of international entries in the May edition. To be a winner at Virtual Windsor against entries from all over the world, you really do have to be the best.”

SHOW JUMPING MAKES ITS DEBUT

In addition to International Dressage and Showing, the organisers of the Virtual Windsor Autumn Series 2020 have created a jumping discipline which allows riders from across the globe to compete. Based on Prix Caprilli, Equitation Jumping requires competitors to submit a video showing a short set test, which includes three fences of any kind with one stride between each at any height. Marks are awarded for the rider’s position, use of aids, and straightness and the technique, shape, and impulsion of the horse. Designed to be accessible to all levels of equestrian, the class is open to all and will have a Championship taking place on the Sunday of the Show.

The competition will be judged by professional judge, show jumper, and event rider Julian White, who said, “During these difficult times that we’re all facing I’ve just had the most amazing ray of light shone onto me by being asked to be a judge on the Virtual Windsor Horse Show Series which is just brilliant, I’m so excited. It is a real honour to be asked and I am looking forward to it hugely. So thank you so much, and I’m judging with Nigel Hollings who I was meant to be judging with in South Africa, so that’s also a joy and a double whammy!”

FURTHER ADDITIONS ADDED TO THE LINE-UP

In addition to the competition, a Masterclass will be streamed on each day of the three days of the Show, featuring world-class riders from around the world. Covering topics from Grand Prix Dressage to training tips, riding international courses and the thrills of top competition, the Masterclasses will be available to all through the live stream.

It has been a tough year for many exhibitors, and Virtual Windsor will continue to support tradestands and shops through its Virtual Shopping Village, where visitors will find a full list of shops selling everything equestrian, plus some “Show Week” discounts.

Royal Windsor’s Show Director, Simon Brooks-Ward, said of Virtual Windsor: “We were so thrilled by the response to the first Virtual Windsor that it wasn’t a difficult decision to build a series of events.  Although 2020 has been a challenging year, Virtual Windsor has shown us that the equestrian community has a really positive outlook and will come together to enjoy competition and celebrate equestrianism. I cannot wait to see how the Series fares and to welcome all the international competitors and visitors to the event.”

The Virtual Windsor Autumn Series 2020 will run from 25-27 September 2020, with entries for Showing and Equitation Jumping opening in August and closing in early September. Schedules and rules for each class will be available at virtual.rwhs.co.uk from Friday 10 July.

For more information, please contact:
Gayle Jenkins / rEvolution / gjenkins@revolutionworld.com / +44 (0)203 176 0355

*Featured/Spotlights, Royal Windsor Horse Show

Organisers of Virtual Windsor 2020 Announce ‘Show Week’ Programme

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Virtual Windsor 2020 launched a month ago and already the number of visitors and entries to competition has far exceeded expectations, with a total of 4,266 entries across the multitude of classes. Organisers of CHI Royal Windsor Horse Show, one of Her Majesty The Queen’s favourite annual events, have announced the packed official programme for Virtual Windsor 2020 ‘Show Week’.

From 13-17 May, the ‘Virtual Show’ will take place via a daily streamed video, which will comprise the judging of the online Showing classes, Shopping Fix clips, messages from stewards and Royal Windsor Horse Show supporters, and footage from previous years’ Royal Windsor Horse Shows.

‘Show Week’ presents a unique opportunity for the equestrian community to relive some of the most exciting equestrian competitions of recent years, featuring some of equestrian’s best athletes, such as USA’s Kent Farrington, along with Olympic gold medallists Ben Maher MBE, Scott Brash MBE, and Charlotte Dujardin CBE. Highlights include the 2018 and 2019 Rolex Grands Prix, last year’s hotly contested CSI5* Falcon Stakes, and the Al Shira’aa Grand Prix Freestyle to Music. Viewers will also be able to witness the best moments from the Land Rover International Driving Grand Prix and stunning displays from the Household Cavalry Musical Ride and the Royal Horse Artillery, all in the comfort of their own homes.

Closely following the live event timetable, the Virtual Windsor 2020 Show Week will bring the judging of the online Showing classes to life, with Royal Windsor Horse Show commentator, Nick Brooks-Ward, interviewing judges Nigel Hollings, John Peacock, Linda Lawrance, Antony Fanshawe, and Lord Charles Beresford, along with special guest judges Alan Titchmarsh MBE and Annabel Brooks-Ward MFH. The judge of each class will be interviewed, and the result announced during the course of the stream.

ACADEMY AWARD WINNER

On the evening of Saturday 16 May, viewers will have the chance to relive last year’s highly acclaimed 2019 Victorian Pageant – a musical, military, and equestrian extravaganza, featuring the voices of Academy Award winner Olivia Colman CBE, Simon Callow CBE, Alan Titchmarsh MBE, alongside music from renowned British score writer Debbie Wiseman OBE. The stunning display, set in the iconic grounds of Windsor Castle, will be streamed online as a one-off performance. Royal Windsor Horse Show sponsor AMAALA is supporting a ‘Pageant Watch Party’, and viewers are encouraged to take part at home.

On Sunday 17 May, Virtual Windsor 2020 will host the Online Showing Championships supported by Rosettes Direct, with the winners of each Showing class going head-to-head to claim the coveted Championship title. Prizes have kindly been donated by RWHS exhibitors, with the champion receiving a Voltaire Design bridle and a magnum of wine from The Magnum Company to the winning owner. Holland Cooper has also supported the Championships, with a jacket presented to the Best Turned Out. All finalists in the Online Showing will receive a Royal Windsor Horse Show rosette, kindly made by longtime RWHS supporters Rosettes Direct.

Show Week at Virtual Windsor 2020 will also include the launch of an interactive map of the showground, where visitors can tour their favourite shopping destinations. The map, which features all the shops usually found at Windsor in their usual places on the showground, will allow visitors to virtually explore the Show and enjoy all the usual Shopping on-site and benefit from some special virtual show offers.

Show Director, Simon Brooks-Ward, commented: “The organising team has done a tremendous job to put on what we believe will be a spectacular Virtual Show Week. I have already seen some very strong entries from all around the world, so the judges are certainly going to have a tough job on their hands. Though the Show could not go ahead in its usual format, Virtual Windsor 2020 has really shown how exceptional the equestrian community is and I would like to thank all those that have supported us and got involved.”

The free-to-view content will begin at 11.30 each day and be available on Facebook, YouTube, and on the Virtual Windsor 2020 website.

For more information, please contact:
Gayle Jenkins / rEvolution / gjenkins@revolutionworld.com / +44 (0)203 176 0355

*Featured/Spotlights, Royal Windsor Horse Show

Virtual Windsor 2020 Receives Thousands of Entries from around the World

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Following the cancellation of Royal Windsor Horse Show due to COVID-19, the Organisers of the Show have put an innovative solution in place: Virtual Windsor 2020, an online platform that merges virtual competition with e-commerce and social media.  Virtual Windsor has already generated an astounding number of entries to its online Showing classes, which are taking place at the same time as the usual competitions at the Show.

Across all classes, there have already been 3,122 entries from all corners of the globe, demonstrating the willingness of the worldwide equestrian family to pull together and celebrate their passion virtually (a ‘normal’ Royal Windsor would receive around 2,300 entries to its Showing classes). The classes will be judged by Chief Showing Steward, Nigel Hollings, with expertise also provided by John Peacock and Linda Lawrance.

Alan Titchmarsh, Royal Windsor Horse Show Member, celebrated gardener, and television presenter, has joined in with the spirit of the event and is set to judge the fancy dress competition, which has already had some very creative entries. He joins a line-up of judges who have been selected for their expert knowledge, and who have previous experience at top Showing events.

Frances Hampson-Jones has entered her trusted partner, Holliday, in the Ridden Senior Horse or Pony. Their combined horse and rider age is 90 years old – quite a feat! Other heartwarming stories include the 27-year-old horse Sweet William, who has – despite health issues – competed at Royal Windsor every year since he was 16 in the Senior Horse or Pony classes, which he continues to contest virtually this year.

Emma Tovey, owner of Sweet William, said: “Royal Windsor is a very special show to us, and we will miss it enormously this year, but I’m pleased to be able to enter the virtual version. Bring on 2021 and thank you for coming up with a way to keep our spirits up!”

Elsewhere, the line-up includes racehorse Saint Are – five-time runner in the Grand National, including a second placing in 2015 – who is entered in the Retraining of Racehorses class, with his owners hoping to win one of the prestigious Royal Windsor rosettes.

Simon Brooks-Ward, Show Director, said: “It’s a great shame that Royal Windsor Horse Show couldn’t go ahead as planned; however, Virtual Windsor 2020 has been phenomenally popular, showing that everyone can come together during these tough times. The amount of entries we have received has been astonishing, with the variety and level of competition extremely high. We want to thank everyone who has supported Virtual Windsor 2020 so far and look forward to what is set to be an exciting Championships taking place on 17 May 2020.”

Virtual Windsor 2020 was also created to support the shops that the show houses each year, many of whom are independent traders. The online show has now welcomed more than 190 brands, with some of them displaying their wares at “Royal Windsor” for the first time this year. Many have selflessly contributed to the NHS however they can, with Hayfield England producing a beautiful hat pin in blue and white feathers to raise money for the NHS; Thermatex colleagues making scrubs bags for NHS employees; and the owner of Bella Singleton – a luxury clothing designer specialising in silk products – creating face masks available to the general public.

The Royal Windsor Horse Show community has shown an admirable ability to seamlessly transfer into the “Virtual World”, with more than 50,000 page views on the Virtual Windsor 2020 platform, coupled with all Royal Windsor related social media pages growing exponentially. As well as this, Virtual Windsor 2020 continues to grow the content platform. Interviews with a golden list of equestrian stars, including Ros Canter, Martin Fuchs, and Daniel Naprous, videos of unforgettable Royal Windsor Horse Show moments of the past, top tips on horse care and nutrition, as well as a new series including Royal Windsor judges will all be uploaded in the coming days and weeks.

Entries for Virtual Windsor 2020 will remain open until Friday 1 May 2020 with shortlists of each class to be announced on Friday 8 May 2020. Classes will be judged during Show week with final winners progressing to the Championships being judged on Sunday 17 May 2020.

VIRTUAL WINDSOR 2020 can be found at virtual.rwhs.co.uk.

For more information, please contact:
Gayle Jenkins / rEvolution / gjenkins@revolutionworld.com / +44 (0)203 176 0355

Revolution Sports, Royal Windsor Horse Show

Virtual Windsor 2020 Set to Recreate Royal Windsor Horse Show Magic Online

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The Organisers of Royal Windsor Horse Show have launched VIRTUAL WINDSOR 2020, a new online hub, which is free to the equestrian community. This enterprising initiative aims to help fill the gap left by the cancellation of Royal Windsor Horse Show 2020 due to Covid-19.

VIRTUAL WINDSOR 2020 will host exciting features, the Show’s 200 shops, virtual Showing competitions, training videos, social media feeds, and the best of online content from previous Royal Windsor Horse Shows and from the equestrian world at the moment.

The shops that would normally have a physical presence at the Show will be displayed on the hub, giving users the opportunity to access some of equestrian’s best brands, including the latest technical equipment, country and lifestyle collections, and clothing. One of the key drivers of the “Virtual RWHS Shopping Experience” are the deals some of which will be available exclusively on the platform.

Those visiting VIRTUAL WINDSOR 2020 can also enter online equestrian competitions, including a variety of Showing classes adhering closely to the original Royal Windsor Horse Show schedule. Those wishing to compete will upload their entry in the form of a photo to put them in the running, with applicants able to enter via email or social media. A Royal Windsor Horse Show judge will then select 10 finalists, before announcing the winner. The winners of each class will then progress to the Championships being judged on Sunday 17 May 2020.

To further help fill the void, VIRTUAL WINDSOR 2020 will give users access to features from the official Royal Windsor Horse Show programme, content from the archives, guest bloggers, live Q&A sessions, and insights into Royal Windsor Horse Show 2021, which is already well into its planning stage. Giving equestrian fans a central hub to find training videos, light-hearted posts, the latest updates from top competitors, and tips from other riders, VIRTUAL WINDSOR 2020 will support trainers, coaches, physios, and riders who may be struggling during this time.

Show Director Simon Brooks-Ward said: “This online platform is a way for the equestrian community to come together; it aims to support and entertain, keeping the spirit of Royal Windsor Horse Show alive during this difficult time. The platform involves everyone, from fans to riders, shops, competitors, and officials.  We wanted to find a way that we could support the shops at the show and engage with our competitors and customers and I’m genuinely excited to see what we can accomplish. Our hope is that it will go part of the way towards recreating the magic in Windsor Castle’s iconic private grounds that we all expected to see in May.”

Ben Buxton, Events Manager of Fairfax and Favor, said: “Virtual Windsor is an exciting real and online opportunity for Fairfax and Favor to have a presence at one of the leading horse shows of the year. Whilst we may not see customers (both new and existing) in person, we relish the opportunity to connect with anyone who would have seen us, and let them see our range, including the launch of our Spring Summer 2020 collection.”

VIRTUAL WINDSOR 2020 can be found at https://virtual.rwhs.co.uk/.  The site will be constantly updated and will remain in place throughout the year.

The Royal Windsor Horse Show will return next year from 12-16 May 2021.

For more information, please contact:
Gayle Jenkins / rEvolution / gjenkins@revolutionworld.com / +44 (0)203 176 0355