Brash and Charles lead British charge at Royal Windsor CSI5* 2026
Royal Windsor Horse Show has confirmed a standout line-up for its CSI5* Show Jumping classes in 2026, with Britain’s Scott Brash and Harry Charles set to spearhead the home challenge in the private grounds of Windsor Castle from 14–17 May.
The CSI5* action runs from Friday 15 May to Sunday 17 May, culminating in the Rolex Grand Prix, which is billed as the highlight of the week in The Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Castle Arena.
British riders to watch at Royal Windsor 2026
World No. 1 Scott Brash leads the British entries and arrives in Windsor as one of seven Rolex Testimonees competing. The double Olympic gold medallist ended 2025 with victory in the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final and has carried that form into 2026, with CSI5* Grand Prix wins already recorded in Paris and Doha.
Brash will be joined by Paris 2024 Olympic gold-winning teammate Harry Charles, who is aiming to better his third-place finish in last year’s Rolex Grand Prix. Also in the spotlight are Show Ambassadors Joe Stockdale and Jack Whitaker, both of whom have started the season strongly. Stockdale won the Gold Tour Grand Prix at Arezzo earlier this month, while Whitaker finished second in the CSI5* Grand Prix in Miami.
Further strengthening the British showjumping contingent is Robert Whitaker, who has a long history of success at Royal Windsor, including a Grand Prix win in 2014 and results stretching back to his first victory at the Show in 2008. Sienna Charles also returns with winning form at Windsor, having previously taken the Under-25 Jumping title.
Matthew Sampson, Jodie Hall McAteer and Adrian Whiteway are also named among the British riders looking to make their mark in front of the Windsor crowd.
International challengers set for Windsor Castle
Among the headline international contenders is World No. 2 Kent Farrington, who is set to arrive after an FEI Jumping World CupTM Final victory. The United States team also includes World No. 10 Laura Kraut, Lillie Keenan and Eve Jobs, with Canadian Olympian Kara Chad adding further North American strength.
Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs and Steve Guerdat bring proven Royal Windsor form, having finished first and third respectively in the Rolex Grand Prix in 2024. Fuchs also won the class in 2023, while World No. 11 Guerdat is a previous winner in 2018.
Belgium is led by 2025 Royal Windsor Rolex Grand Prix winner Gregory Wathelet, alongside Nicola Philippaerts, Pieter Devos and Thibault Philippaerts. Germany’s challenge is headed by reigning individual Olympic champion Christian Kukuk, with Daniel Deusser also entered. France is represented by World No. 6 Nina Mallevaey and Marc Dilasser.
Sweden’s former World No. 1 Henrik von Eckermann is another former Rolex Grand Prix winner in the mix, having taken the title in 2019, while Ireland’s Daniel Coyle adds further depth to a field that is stated to include 10 of the world’s top 20.
Other named contenders include the Netherlands’ Harrie Smolders and Luxembourg’s Victor Bettendorf, who won the Manama Rose Show Stakes at Royal Windsor in 2025.
Chairman of Royal Windsor Horse Show, Simon Brooks-Ward, said: “We are thrilled to welcome such an outstanding group of riders to Royal Windsor Horse Show this year. The continued presence of the world’s best athletes highlights the prestige of the Show, and we look forward to three days of exceptional international competition in The Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Castle Arena.”
Tickets and further details are available at www.rwhs.co.uk
