Ben Maher riding Explosion W winners of the CSI5* Rolex Grand Prix during the Royal Windsor Horse Show, held in the grounds of Windsor Castle in Windsor in Berkshire in the UK between 1st - 4th July 2021
If you’re lucky enough to be heading to the Royal Windsor Horse Show this year (15–18 May 2025), and are wondering how to make the most of your visit, here is our complete guide to what you won’t want to miss while you’re there.
Watch some of the best show horses in action
There are a host of showing classes at Royal Windsor and it is a real destination competition for riders in the showing world, with seriously smart horses and ponies out to impress the judges. Highlights include the Mountain and Moorland supreme championship and the hunter, cob and hack championships.
And don’t forget the showjumpers either
Royal Windsor hosts five-star level showjumping competitions, culminating in the Rolex Grand Prix on Sunday. Alongside top-level jumping taking place in the Castle Arena, the show also hosts young rider and national classes.
The Defender Shetland Pony Grand National
The highly competitive jockeys (and ponies!) will be battling it out for a win in the Castle Arena every day of Royal Windsor. Be sure to cheer them on as you watch their tiny little legs going so fast they are practically a blur.
Outstanding shopping
The shopping at Royal Windsor is divided into four areas, making it easy to find what you are looking for. The Horse & Rider zone includes a wide range of products from stabling and bedding to tack, transportation and feed, as well as all your clothing essentials.
If you are looking for a new addition to your home furnishings, the Country Lifestyle and Living area is where you’ll want to be. There is also a Jewellery & Fashion Quarter and finally, the Royal Warrant Holders Association has an area dedicated to it at the show. Royal Warrants of Appointment are a mark of recognition of those who supply goods or services to The King’s household.
There are also a good range of food stands near the Copper Horse Arena and Frogmore Arena, so you can grab some grub while checking out most of the showing action.
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Best places to sit around the site
Staying central to the grounds is probably the best place to watch; most of the rings are set out in an unofficial circle, so if you stay near the shopping area you can keep an eye on the majority of the rings. There is a grass area next to the Copper Horse Arena where spectators can sit and there are also picnic benches undercover if you want to sit and eat. If you want to spectate at the Adelaide Arena, make sure you give yourself plenty of time as it is a fair walk!
DAKS Pony Club Mounted Games
With heats taking place throughout Royal Windsor week, the final of the Pony Club Mounted Games competition takes place on Sunday. Teams from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland compete against each other in a variety of challenging but hugely entertaining races, so make sure you don’t miss it!
Musical Ride of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery
Witness the incredible skill and precision that is required of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery riders and horses as they perform difficult manoeuvres and crossovers in a ride to music – a really powerful display to watch.
International carriage driving
The international four-in-hand carriage driving at Royal Windsor counts as an FEI World Cup qualifier. There are three stages to the competition. The driven dressage involves each team of four horses driving a set series of movements on Friday, while the marathon stage takes place on the Saturday and requires the competitors to drive at speed through eight solid obstacles, passing through multiple “gates” in a set order. The final stage is the cone driving on Sunday, where teams drive through a route of narrowly spaced pairs of cones in a set time, ideally without dislodging any balls.
International endurance
Taking place on the Friday of Royal Windsor, the international endurance competitors do battle riding through Windsor Great Park, either competing over 160km, 120km, 100km or 80km.
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Former web features editor, point-to-point editor and digital racing editor
Gemma is an experienced journalist, who was a member of H&H staff from 2014 to September 2025. She is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s has reported from numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.
