The Royal Windsor Horse Show began in spectacular style on Thursday, setting the tone for four days of elite equestrian sport against the iconic backdrop of Windsor Castle. The opening day featured the start of national competition, including hotly contested Show Jumping and the ever-popular Showing classes.
A poignant moment came with the arrival of Tom March, who completed his Pedal3Peaks Challenge in aid of Spinal Research, the Show’s official charity. His remarkable effort was a tribute to his sister, Caroline, a talented Event rider who tragically died by assisted suicide just over a year ago. She had been paralysed in a cross-country fall and was only 31.
New Names Shine in National Show Jumping
The Redpost Equestrian Senior Foxhunter – First Round launched the sporting action in the Castle Arena. The two-phase competition saw 32 combinations jump double clear, with Bruno Freire emerging victorious aboard the eight-year-old Drewmain Meira. They took top spot ahead of Emma Jo Slater riding Kimba Luidun, who finished second.
Twelve six-year-olds from this class progressed to the Walwyn Novice Championship later in the day. Slater qualified as top seed and was last to go in the second round. The class, run over two rounds with a jump-off, saw six riders progress to the final phase.
Tom Pritchard was first into the arena with Orovito, jumping clear in a time of 34.34 seconds. Despite the strong start, it was his second mount, Princess SW, who took the lead as penultimate to go. Slater came closest to catching him but had to settle for second once again, placing herself between Pritchard’s two rides.
Pritchard commented: “Orovito is still quite green, so at the moment it is about showing him what’s what and seeing what he can do. Princess SW has done quite a bit, so I knew she had the potential to win the class, which she did – I am thrilled with her.”
In the LeMieux National 1.40m Open Jumping Competition – Single Phase, William Rekert took an early lead in the field of 45. However, Emma Manton and Vanilla Fusion delivered a faultless round to take the win by just 0.09 seconds, finishing in fastest time ahead of Rekert, who placed second. Lucy Struthers finished third, while British team rider and World Championship bronze medallist Joe Stockdale came in fifth.
Manton said: “This is my first time at the Show, and we’re back on Sunday for The Defender Under 25 Jumping Competition, so today was meant to be more of a prep run – but Annie [Vanilla Fusion] had other ideas! I still can’t believe she actually won the class. I was a bit nervous coming in as she has had a quiet winter, and this is only her second proper show back this year. However, she was absolutely fantastic.”
Championships and Triumphs in the Showing Rings
Showing classes also got underway with fierce competition. Hannah Horton, a local campaigner from Newbury, claimed a memorable double win. She began by winning the Working Show Horse class on Sixties Icon in the Frogmore Arena, then partnered Migration to victory in the RoR Retraining of Racehorses Ridden Show Series Qualifier (Flat). Horton and Migration went on to be crowned Champion.
Migration, who famously won the Lincoln Handicap in 2023, only retired from racing in March. Horton said: “He was gifted to me when he retired and is now run by Anthony and Georgina Andrews. He’s qualified for the RoR championships at Hickstead and Aintree, and also for the SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse final at Horse of the Year Show in October – I’m delighted with how far he’s come.”
HM The King narrowly missed a repeat of last year’s success, with First Receiver finishing runner-up under producer Katie Jerram-Hunnable.
In the Working Hunter classes, competitors faced challenging courses designed by Lisa Kelly. Katy Green won the Lightweight section and the overall Championship riding Vulcanite (Aoife). It was an emotional win, echoing the mare’s past Royal Windsor triumph eight years earlier under the late Rory Gilsenan. “I could hear Rory in my ear, cheering me on. He was my mentor and I owe a lot to him,” Green said.
In the Heavyweight section, Alice Homer claimed victory as the only clear round aboard Golden Glove, owned by her mother Loraine. Bloomfield Greystones, ridden by Rose Bailey, won the Amateur Hunter Championship sponsored by Rosettes Direct, also taking the Middle and Heavyweight titles.
Closing the day in the Castle Arena, Vicky Smith steered Chynas Top Deck to success in the Coloured Ridden Championship, sponsored by the Leeman Family.
Olympic-Level Dressage Captivates Crowd
The Castle Arena also played host to the Defender Dressage Masterclass, a showcase of Olympic-level skill and artistry. Featuring Olympic medallists Becky Moody and Carl Hester, along with World No. 6 Dinja van Liere, the session included live performances of their Olympic Freestyle tests.
The Masterclass was hosted by Team GB Olympian and FEI World Championship silver medallist Richard Davison, who narrated the intricacies of freestyle dressage to a captivated audience, providing insight into the athletic and artistic demands of the discipline.
