Tradition and excellence at this week’s Royal Windsor Horse Show

Windsor Castle is described as the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, with the original structure built in the 11th century by William the Conqueror. It has since served as a residence for 39 British monarchs, including The Queen. Indeed, she was there as a princess for the inaugural competition in 1943, which helped raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for the British war effort.

This year’s event, taking place from May 9-13, will reflect that tradition and prestige, including in its top-flight field of international entries. In Show Jumping, for example, Farrington – who won last year’s Grand Prix at the show – is scheduled to return to elite-level competition with his mounts Gazelle and Voyeur after suffering an injury earlier this year in Florida.

But Farrington will be facing numerous world-class rivals in the sport as he attempts to defend his title in the €300,000 class. Among the other CSI5* riders are Great Britain’s Scott Brash, Ben Maher and John, Robert and William Whitaker, Ireland’s Bertram Allen, Denis Lynch and Cian O’Connor, Canada’s Eric Lamaze, Germany’s Daniel Deusser, Italy’s Lorenzo de Luca, France’s Kevin Staut, and the United States’ Laura Kraut and Lauren Hough. Highlights of the Grand Prix will be broadcast internationally on Eurosport on Monday, 14 May at 17:30 (UK time). 

In Dressage, the Royal Windsor will see top British riders Carl Hester MBE and Charlotte Dujardin OBE in action in the Grand Prix and Freestyle to Music competitions. After her Olympic champion partner Valegro retired at the end of 2016, Dujardin is expected to be a top contender at this year’s World Equestrian Games in September with her nine-year-old mare Mount St John Freestyle.

For his part, Hester, who won at Windsor last year on Barolo, will be riding Hawtins Delicato this year. “Royal Windsor is such a unique Show,” Hester says, “the setting is like no other and the competition is always fantastic. It is great being back after winning here last year, Delicato and I are looking forward to giving Charlotte and Freestyle a run for their money!”