Returning to win the LeMieux national 1.40m open showjumping class at Royal Windsor Horse Show for the second year in a row were the lightning-quick duo of Sally Goding and Spring Willow.
“She had to have a tooth out last year and she had a few complications as a result, so she’s had a bit of a break,” said Sally. “So she was a bit over-excited and I wondered how she’d be today but I’m really pleased with how she went.”
The pair triumphed by 0.34sec from Emily Sage riding I Am A Harley, with Adrian Whiteway third on Floris II in this exciting single phase competition that thrilled the crowds.
“I watched the class and saw it was really fast but I thought I’m not going to go in and go crazy for the win but just try to keep her calm and jumping straight – but she’s just naturally very quick,” said Sally, who uses a padded headpiece on the sensitive chestnut mare.
“Her tooth was fractured and had grown in at an angle so she had quite big surgery then she needed her sinuses flushed and got an infection in her head so she had to do nothing at all for a bit – so she’s only coming back this year.
“At last year’s show I’d just come back from a broken ankle and wasn’t supposed to be walking, let alone riding, and I’m so glad I did that because I got to jump and win in the main ring [this year’s class was held in the Martin Collins Enterprises Frogmore Arena].
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“She’s just amazing, she loves it – as soon as the bell goes she’s off.”
The opening national jumping class, the Al Shira’aa senior Foxhunter, was won by Hollie Pearce riding the aptly named eight-year-old gelding El Macho Van Plockroy Z.
“He’s really quick and careful on his day – he has all the ability to go and win that class because he’s quick enough and can come inside and be agile enough to jump round,” said Hollie, whose mother Rachel bought the eight-year-old four years ago. “He’s such a good boy and he’s brave, so you can dare him. Turning back to the verticals was tight but he’s almost better that way.
“He was a stallion till late in his six-year-old year, so he’s quite chunky still and he does live up to his name,” revealed Hollie, who credited trainers Adam Botham and Tony Pearson for her success at Royal Windsor Horse Show.
You can read the full report from Royal Windsor Horse Show in next week’s Horse & Hound, in the shops Thursday 18 May.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.
