Working hunters are tested and true amateurs shine: round-up of winners from day one of Royal Windsor

Who reigned on day one of the 2021 Royal Windsor Horse Show? 

Lucy Lockwood and her horse of a lifetime Chantilly Bojangles led the amateur hunter field after winning the small/lightweight division, while the heavyweight amateur hunter class went to Cerys Ford and the stunning Alis Real Bright Spark. Section reserve was Camilla Davies with Glenkeeran Dance In The Deep.

• Read why Lucy was in floods of tears after her triumph

Kelly Ward was crowned NAF Five Star working hunter champion riding Bloomfield Incognito on the pair’s first trip to the special show. 19-year-old Alice Homer and Little Joe captured the heavyweight working hunter class and stood section reserve. The first class of the day, the working show horse class, was headed by Jessica Taylor riding her own Randal.

• Find out about the working hunter classes’ new home and exactly how few clear rounds were achieved across the classes 

Former National Hunt winner Wonga Swinger lifted the Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) Tattersalls Thoroughbred ridden show horse championship. The RoR flat ridden show series qualifier saw 12-year-old Imperial Ruby and Sarah Gwillam come to the fore, though Laura Southgate and her own Ellie — second place in the flat class — took section reserve.

• Read why Wonga Swinger’s rider had her eye on him as an RoR contender before he’d even raced 

28-year-old mare Mountain Gale was crowned senior in-hand champion, while the senior ridden horse championship went to Linzy Dickinson and her husband’s hunt horse Tikiri Canante. In pony ranks, Willow Tarrant piloted her own 22-year-old Skewbald mare to the top spot.

• Find out about one golden oldie’s varied ridden career, which is still going strong 

Three-year-old plaited filly Ashlea Perfect Spirit scooped an ultra-competitive in-hand coloured championship for Vicky Smith and Alan Marnie.

• Find out why Vicky thinks the youngster is going to be her next HOYS winner 

Leading ridden flat sports horse was The Queen’s Daydream III, who took the title for producer Katie Jerram-Hunnable.

Winner of the Haflinger in-hand class was Alison Walker’s una Van De Weideweg.

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Alex Robinson

H&H showing editor

Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the showing scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show and Olympia and has first-hand knowledge of the current issues in the showing world as well as the horses, ponies and riders who compete in the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 since when she has cemented its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK.