The Queen’s homebred Highlands add to a record number of showing entries at this year’s Royal Windsor Horse Show (13-17 May).
Organisers of the UK’s largest outdoor show have received a total of 1,863 showing entries — a 4% increase from 2014.
This is the third year running that showing entries have been up on the previous year.
“We strive to make Royal Windsor Horse Show as enjoyable as possible for competitors and it is great to see that it maintains its popularity among the showing community,” said show director, Simon Brooks-Ward.
“We have made particular efforts to encourage showing competitors by reviewing our schedule and trying to improve the showing competitors’ experience at the event and these have certainly paid off.”
Royal Windsor holds over 150 showing classes across five days in the grounds of Windsor Castle, ranging from heavyweight hunters to show ponies.
The Queen, who has attended the show every year since it began in 1943, has several entries including her homebred Highlands, Balmoral Erica and Balmoral Gemini, produced by Lizzie Briant.
The Queen’s former racehorse, Barbers Shop, will be competing in this year’s ladies’ hunter class with H&H columnist Katie Jerram.
Many of last year’s champions will be returning to defend their titles, including working hunter champions Libby Cooke and Harley Foxtrot. Berkshire-based showing producer Jayne Ross, who had six wins at Royal Windsor 2014, has a total of 12 entries in this year’s competition.
Royal Windsor Horse Show 2015 Showing Highlights
Wednesday 13 May
- Hunters
- Sport horses
- Part bred and Anglo Arabs
- Senior horses/ponies
Thursday 14 May
- Riding horses
- Hackneys
- Coloureds
- Polo ponies
- Light trade
- Working hunters
- Miniatures
Friday 15 May
- Retrained Racehorses
- Mountain and moorlands in hand
- Cobs
- Hacks
- Ladies show horse
- Haflingers
Saturday 16 May
- Show ponies
- Mountain and moorlands ridden
Sunday 17 May
- Show hunter ponies
- Working hunter ponies
- Lusitanos
- Appaloosas
- Andalusians
- Concours d’elegance (side saddle)
For a full schedule visit: www.rwhs.co.uk
