Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann lifted the first silverware for the international jumping at Royal Windsor Horse Show on Friday (13 May).
Riding a relatively new addition to his string, the nine-year-old mare Iliana, Henrik rocketed out of the starting stalls to cross the line just 0.04sec faster than Germany’s Christian Ahlmann with Calvino 16, who had to settle for the runner-up spot.
“She’s quite special this mare. She’s quite hot and ‘on it’, and very quick, but at the moment the steering still has to improve – she has a bit to learn!” said Henrik of the mare who was still on her toes even after scorching round the 1.45m two-phase track for the CSI5* Manama Stakes.
He began riding Iliana, a Dutch-bred daughter of Cardento, at the start of this year.
“She’s new and has a lot of potential – she just needs to calm down a bit,” smiled Henrik.
“I love this show and always come back – it’s one of my favourites,” he said. “I love the English people and it feels very different here.
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“I ride King Edward for a training round this afternoon [Friday] and then in the grand prix on Sunday.”
Behind Henrik and Christian was the best-placed Brit, Guy Williams riding his prolific winning stallion Rouge De Ravel for third, barely half a second off the pace of the winner having jumped much earlier in the draw.
Fifth place went to William Funnell riding Equine America Billy McCain.
Keep up to date with all the action from Royal Windsor Horse Show via the Horse & Hound website and in next week’s magazine, in the shops Thursday 19 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.
