Royal Windsor Horse Show: Spectacular International Entries Including 8 of the Top 10 Showjumpers!

Windsor, England – May 02, 2024 – The Royal Windsor Horse Show CSI 5* is on this week a host of sensational international entries for the 2024 edition, including a thrilling line-up of eight of the World’s top 10 showjumpers.

The Show, which this year runs over five days from 1–5 May, will prove crucial in providing Britain’s top combinations with one of their final chances to impress selectors on home soil ahead of this year’s Paris Olympics – and gives an opportunity to size up 2024’s favourites for the medals table.

Show Director, Simon Brooks-Ward, said: “We are thrilled to be welcoming the very  best horse and rider combinations in the World to Royal Windsor. The calibre of competitors that return to the Show each year is phenomenal, and we cannot wait for another year of top-sport.”

Show Jumping 

CSI5* Show Jumping action commences with the Pearl Stakes this Friday 3 May, and concludes on Sunday 5th May with the €500k Rolex Grand Prix, providing a magnificent three days of international Show Jumping in one of the most exclusive showgrounds in the World.

Heading up the impressive line-up, which will see eight of the top 10 ranked riders in the World competing in the stunning Castle Arena, is Great Britain’s Ben Maher (GBR) . Maher, who is currently ranked World No.2, and is a past winner of the prestigious Rolex Grand Prix, having won in 2021 with his incredible chestnut gelding Explosion W. The reigning individual Olympic Champion will be hoping to go one better than his 2022 second placing in the same class.

Maher will face stiff competition throughout the week however, including from the young British rider Harry Charles. Charles, who is one of the country’s most exciting up-and-coming Show Jumpers, has already had a 5* win at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida this year and will be hoping to continue his winning ways on home soil. Joining Maher and Charles will be Scott Brash (GBR) – the highly decorated British rider who was part of the bronze medal team at the 2022 FEI World Championships, and who brings with him three of his most talented horses.

In total, 11 British riders will be contesting the CSI 5* showjumping including Royal Windsor’s Show Ambassadors, Joseph Stockdale and Jack Whitaker. Both riders have previously impressed at the Show, and with good results over the winter they will be ones to watch. Making it a true family affair, Whitaker’s uncle, and cousin – John and Robert Whitaker – will also be competing. John Whitaker, always a crowd pleaser, who at the remarkable age of 68 is still competing at the top level of the sport having participated in six Olympic Games, continues to demonstrate all the skill and knowledge required to challenge for the top placings at the Show.

Another fan favourite to be making an appearance is Matthew Sampson (GBR). Sampson finished last year on a high when he was named ‘Leading Rider’ at London International Horse Show. Other notable British entries include Championship team regular Tim Gredley (GBR), and young rider Oliver Fletcher (GBR).

Alongside the British contingent, Switzerland will also have a strong representation at the Show, with the World Nos. 3 and 4 – Steve Guerdat (SUI) and Martin Fuchs (SUI) – both travelling to Royal Windsor. Former Rolex Grand Prix winner Guerdat will know exactly what it takes to claim victory in the famous Castle Arena having achieved this feat in 2018. His compatriot Fuchs will be snapping at his heels however, looking to repeat the success of his win in both this class as well as The Defender Challenge Stakes at the 2023 Show.

Joining the highly competitive field is America’s Kent Farrington (USA), World No. 6, who also returns to Windsor looking for a second Rolex title, following his 2017 win. He will be up against fellow national Laura Kraut (USA) – both riders are known for their competitive spirit and were part of the gold medal winning team at the Pan American Games last summer. Canada’s Tiffany Foster (CAN) is another rider making the long trip across the Atlantic Ocean and will be the sole Canadian representative at Royal Windsor this year.

Heading to Windsor in top form is Ireland’s Daniel Coyle (IRL). The Irishman has gone from strength to strength over the past 12 months – and has continued his winning form from last year’s London International Horse Show (where he won the prestigious London Grand Prix) with a number of impressive 5* victories including in Leipzig and Ocala. Coyle will be joined by four other countrymen including the in-form Bertram Allen (IRL), Darragh Kenny (IRL), and the Breen brothers.

From across the channel, the competition promises to be strong. Julien Epaillard (FRA), known as one of the fastest riders in the world, and current World No.5 heads to Windsor alongside compatriot Simon Delestre (FRA), currently World No.7. With both riders’ strong records keeping them well at the top of leaderboards, they’ll be providing an insight into the Paris Olympics’ home team’s chances this summer.

Elsewhere, other riders of note attend Windsor with impressive resumés, and are not to be ruled out from victories, including Belgium’s Gregory Wathelet (BEL), winner of the Manama Rose Show Stakes in 2023, as well as the Rolex Grand Prix in 2022), Harrie Smolders (NED), current World No.9, and the Netherland’s Maikel van der Vleuten (NED). Snapping at their heels, Austria’s Max Kühner (AUT), World No.8) and Brazil’s Yuri Masur (BRA) both come to Windsor with their A game – ready to battle it out at this crucial show.

Source: Press Release by Nikki McEwen / Revolution World for Royal Windsor Horse Show

Photo: © RWHS / Ashley Neuhof

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