The King’s show horses to compete at Windsor

Showing etiquette — Katie Jerram-Hunnable and King Charles III's First Receiver competing at HOYS in 2022.

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

The producers of The King’s show horses and native ponies have revealed which animals they will be competing at the 2023 Royal Windsor Horse Show (11 – 14 May)

The King took ownership of The late Queen’s home-bred show horses and ponies after her death last September.

“This year will be so different, and there will be an air of sadness without The Queen’s presence, but I am proud to present this lovely team of horses while supporting the royal family,” said Katie. “I’m hopeful for a very exciting year with The King’s horses. I owe a lot of my career to The Queen, and to her former stud groom Terry Pendry, without whom I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

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Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the showing scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show and Olympia and has first-hand knowledge of the current issues in the showing world as well as the horses, ponies and riders who compete in the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 as showing editor, cementing its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK. She moved on in October 2024 to pursue other opportunities, but continues to write for us on a freelance basis.

Which of The King’s show horses are to compete at the 2023 Royal Windsor Horse Show?

Katie will also ride seven-year-old Fools Paradise in the small riding horse class on Saturday, while last year’s reserve in-hand coloured champion Sunbeam will contest the ridden coloured classes on the first day of the show.

Daydream, already a three-time Royal Windsor victor, as a ridden sport horse and an intermediate show riding type, will return to the show as a large hack on Friday.

The Queen’s native pony producer Lizzie Finlayson-Briant, M&M supreme in-hand champion last year with Highland pony mare Balmoral Leia, is debuting The King’s two-year-old Fell pony colt Balmoral Firework in the in-hand breed classes.

“I also have Carltonlima Emma’s granddaughter on the team. She won’t be going to Windsor, but she’s waiting in the wings at home,” Lizzie told H&H. “She’s only four and we’re not going to rush her.”

Kinvara Garner, two-time Royal Windsor part-bred champion with The Queen’s Whalton Highwayman in previous years, will also be appearing at the show riding novice hack contender Debonair II.

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