The Royal Windsor Horse Show will be returning to the private grounds of Windsor Castle as the iconic show celebrates its 75th birthday, on the 9 – 13 May 2018.
The renowned equestrian event, launched in 1943 to raise money for the war effort, has since grown in international prestige becoming the UK’s largest outdoor show, with Her Majesty The Queen, the show’s Patron, attending every year since its creation, alongside the Duke of Edinburgh, the show’s President.
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The original show, which required competitors to hack to the showground as there was no petrol to spare for such luxuries, took place on only one day. The 1944 spectacular saw the rise of the show into how we see it today; seeing an expansion of spectator attendance and competitors, including HM The Queen who competed driving Hans, a Norwegian Pony to victory in the Single Private Driving Class, alongside sister Princess Margaret. The Duke of Edinburgh, a regular competitor and winner in driving at Royal Windsor, also proved his prowess in the polo field, participating in 1959, after the introduction of polo to the show in 1956, a competition which no longer features at the event.
2018 is set to be better than ever, as the enhanced level of competition, which last year saw the show jumping and dressage upgraded to CSI5* and CDI4* level respectively, is due to attract the world’s best horse and rider combinations.
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The CSI5* show jumping will showcase the highest level of the sport, as international competitors from around the world prepare for the FEI World Equestrian GamesTM. The pinnacle event will be Sunday’s CSI5* Rolex Grand Prix which, in 2017, saw World No.1 Kent Farrington take the title and the £258,000 prize money.
CDI4* dressage, will return to the Castle Arena for only the second time, with the Grand Prix and Freestyle to Music taking place during the Thursday and Friday evening performances respectively. The action-packed evening performances will feature a strong supporting cast, including displays from both the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and the Musical Drive of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, as well as the much-loved Shetland Pony Grand National and DAKS Pony Club Mounted Games.
One of the most significant driving events in Britain, the CAIO4* Land Rover International Driving Grand Prix, will add to the thrilling line-up of competitive action taking place at Royal Windsor Horse Show. The three-phase competition, consisting of driven-dressage, a marathon stage and cone driving, will take place over four days of the Show, with participants contending to qualify for the FEI World Cup™ Final.
Horse and rider stamina will be tested during Royal Windsor Endurance, taking place in Windsor Great Park on Friday 11 May. Competitors will take to the CEI2* 120km, CEI1* 80km and Endurance GB 40km courses, with all three rides conducted under FEI rules.
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Royal Windsor Horse Show, the only event in the UK to host four FEI disciplines in show jumping, dressage, carriage driving and endurance, the show will also host over 120 showing classes, the show being a highlight of the national showing calendar. Competitors will be striving to be crowned Royal Windsor Horse Show Supreme Ridden Showing Champion, following in the footsteps of Her Majesty The Queen who took the 2017 title with her homebred former racehorse Barbers Shop.
In addition to the top-class sporting action, spectators can also enjoy a luxury shopping village with over 200 fashion, lifestyle and equestrian boutiques, delicious food stalls and entertaining activities for the children. Tickets can be purchased online at: www.rwhs.co.uk.