The Royal Windsor Horse Show kicks off today (1 May) with the international four-star dressage grand prix, plus young dressage horse classes. The rest of the week will see a packed schedule of top-class showjumping, showing, driving, dressage and endurance competitions. Ahead of the show we’ve caught up with Royal Windsor first-timer Madieson Blakesley, a 21-year-old showjumper who will be contesting the Defender under-25 jumping class on Sunday with a “project horse” who has exceeded all expectations for a family who “do everything on a shoestring”.
Oliver Townend has twice before won two legs of the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing before missing out on the big-money bonus for anyone who can win Burghley, Kentucky and Badminton Horse Trials in succession, so will it be third time lucky for the world number one this year? He is pinning his hopes on just one ride at Badminton, the brilliant Ballaghmor Class, who has three previous five-star wins on his record. According to the Equiratings Prediction Centre, the pair are second favourites to take the win behind Ros Canter and Izilot DHI.
Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin have been busy competing on two horses at Hagen CDI, Germany (24–28 April) as they get their campaigns for Olympic selection under way. Charlotte and Imhotep (Everdale x Vivaldi) won the grand prix (77.47%) and the special (79.06%) in the CDI4*, while Carl and Fame were third in the grand prix (74.47%) and the special (75.8%) – just behind German combination Frederic Wandres and Bluetooth OLD. In the CDI3*, Charlotte won the grand prix (74.84%) and the grand prix special (74.17%) aboard the 10-year-old rising star Alive And Kicking (All At Once x Fürst Piccolo), while Carl was second in both classes with the popular reigning national champion En Vogue (Jazz x Contango).
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Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.
