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Royal Windsor Horse Show celebrates another memorable year
By Rose Adams | 17 May 2018 | Sport
The Queen was among those in attendance witnessing the first-class equestrian action
* This year’s Royal Windsor Horse Show presented a thrilling mix of international competitions in four different disciplines – show jumping, dressage, driving and endurance – witnessed by equestrian fan Her Royal Highness The Queen
The UK’s largest outdoor horse event, Royal Windsor Horse Show is renowned as being one of the most prestigious affairs in the equestrian calendar and this year was no different, with a thrilling mix of international competitions in four different disciplines – show jumping, dressage, driving and endurance. The first-class competition is the only one of its kind held in the regal grounds of Windsor Castle – the very venue at which Prince Harry and former Suits star Meghan Markle will be exchanging vows on 19 May – is a firm favourite of The Queen, who has attended every year since it was established in 1943 and is famous for her love and patronage of equestrian sports.
This Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority hosted lunch and dining events for VIP guests, adding a touch of Bahraini culture, history and horse riding heritage into the quintessentially British proceedings. “The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority hold a long-standing partnership with The Royal Windsor Show,” Yousef Alkhan, director of marketing and tourism promotion, exclusively told Tempus. “Our Arabian horse riding heritage is treasured greatly by Bahraini’s and still withstands in our culture today.
"Our connection with the United Kingdom is cemented through our royal institution and shared love of horses," he said of the country's admiration of the British royals. "It is always an honour to visit the UK and attend one of the most prestigious equestrian events of the year.”
* Rider Steve Guerdat was also victorious, beating 30 of the world’s best riders to claim the Show Jumping Champion award and first prize of £70,000
The Royal Windsor Horse Show is the only time of the year that the private grounds of Windsor Castle are open to the public, and this year her own racehorse Barbers Shop, a 2017 Royal Windsor Supreme Ridden Showing Champion, was retired at the show in an emotional ceremony.
The exciting week of equestrian action, which included wins for The Queen's stock, saw the coveted Royal Windsor Supreme Ridden Showing Championship prize go to Robert Walker and his horse View Point. Rider Steve Guerdat was also victorious, beating 30 of the world’s best riders to claim the Show Jumping Champion award and first prize of £70,000.
“Windsor has been a good place for me, I had a really good feeling coming in to today, [my horse] Bianca has been jumping really well and gaining experience and she felt really fresh and happy to jump this week.” Guerdat said. “It might sound crazy, as amazing as she is, but this is the first class we have won together, so I’m really pleased for her, she really deserves it, it's very special.”