The organisers of the Royal Windsor Horse Show have announced an exciting addition to the 2025 programme—a brand-new Dressage Masterclass, sponsored by Defender. This exclusive event, taking place in the Castle Arena on Thursday, 15 May, promises to deliver an engaging and educational experience for spectators.
The Defender Dressage Masterclass will bring together some of the biggest names in the sport, including Team GB’s Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallists Becky Moody and Carl Hester, alongside World No.4 Dinja Van Liere from the Netherlands. The session will be presented by fellow Olympian and World Championship silver medallist Richard Davison, who will guide the audience through the technical and artistic elements of Freestyle Dressage.
Davison will begin the masterclass by demonstrating key movements, offering insights into the essential components of Freestyle Dressage. The highlight of the event will see Moody, Hester, and Van Liere each perform their Freestyle tests from the Paris 2024 Olympics, providing a rare opportunity for spectators to witness world-class performances up close.
Speaking ahead of the event, Davison shared his excitement:
“I am thrilled to be presenting this new Masterclass at Royal Windsor Horse Show. With three of the world’s best Dressage riders taking part, we have a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate how fundamental principles come together in a Freestyle test to produce something seamless and beautiful. Working alongside Becky, Carl, and Dinja will, I hope, create an engaging and informative experience for all.”
Following their performances, the riders will join Davison in a discussion about their tests, offering the audience a deeper understanding of the techniques and decision-making that shape a world-class Freestyle performance. This interactive format aims to bridge the gap between elite-level Dressage and everyday riding, providing spectators with practical insights they can apply to their own training.
Event Director James Shaw expressed his enthusiasm for the new addition to the Show’s programme:
“We are very excited to introduce the Defender Dressage Masterclass at this year’s Royal Windsor Horse Show. This new style masterclass with the Olympic Freestyle tests creates a platform which allows elite riders to share their expertise in a tangible and inspiring way with our audience. With Richard, Becky, Carl, and Dinja involved, this promises to be one of the standout moments of the Show.”
Whether you’re an aspiring Dressage rider or simply a fan of the sport, the Defender Dressage Masterclass is set to be one of the must-see moments of Royal Windsor Horse Show 2025.
Event Details:
Date: Thursday, 15 May 2025
Time: 15:25
Location: Castle Arena, Royal Windsor Horse Show
For tickets and more information, visit Royal Windsor Horse Show.
Suzanne: BA (Hons) in Marketing Management, Diploma in Equine Studies, B.E.M.A Member. An entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in marketing, publishing, content curation, editing, and media writing. Avid equestrian, riding since the age of 5 and owning horses for over 35 years. Proud mum to humans, dogs, and a horse.