Get ready for Royal Windsor

Many of Britain’s best show jumpers will be heading to Windsor next weekend for the prestigious Royal Windsor Show. British number one Michael Whitaker, former number one Robert Smith and the recently crowned British Open Champion, Nick Skelton will head the top-class line-up.

They will be engaging in battle with competitors from all over Europe in classes ranging from the Horse & Hound Foxhunter to the Royal Windsor Grand Prix. The ladies’ and gentlemen’s championships make a comeback this year, with increased prize money for all the major classes.

Although the show has been restructured to four days, rather than its traditional five, and has lost the Eton ring as part of a five-year plan to revive fortunes and attract an extra 20,000 visitors a year, it has lost none of its equestrian diversity.

As well as displays of world-class show-jumping talent, Britain’s best, including Dressage queen Jennie Loriston-Clarke, former Burghley winner Jane Wallace and international show jumper Tim Stockdale will all be sharing their pearls of wisdom at this year’s innovative teach-ins.

Meanwhile the mounted cavalry will be vying to prove who has the most flamboyant Skill at Arms in a trial of speed and dexterity involving weapons ancient and modern. The cream of the international driving world will be exuding elegance, power, speed and precision in the Land Rover International Driving Grand Prix, and, as always, the showing classes will be particularly hard fought, with prestigious Royal Windsor titles up for grabs.

The evening performance returns this year with a display by the original horse whisperer Monty Roberts, and the comedy of the Shetland Pony Grand National.

For more information and tickets visit: www.rwhs.co.uk or (tel: 0870 121 5370).

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