Seeking Royal Windsor treasures

The Royal Windsor Horse Show celebrates its 60th birthday this year with part of the planned celebrations including a recreation of the first ever show held in 1943.

Organisers of the event are looking for memorabilia from the first show to exhibit as part of their Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

The first show, The Windsor Horse Show, Gymkhana and Dog Show, was held on 26 May 1943 and was organised as part of “Wings for Victory”, the World War II national fund-raising initiative.

During the fund raising week,the area of Windsor managed to raise enough money to buy 72 planes and was so successful that a show committee was set up and from 1944, The Royal Windsor Horse Show became a permanent fixture.

However, organisers are unclear about the exactprizes presented.

“We have an old programme which gives us details of the classes held, as well as a list of competitors who took part, but it doesn’t tell us what prizes were awarded, ” explains Holly Farr from the show office.

“If anyonehas anything from the first show, such as a rosette, certificate or even trophy, we be very interested in hearing from them.”

The show organisers are hoping to gather as many artefacts from the original show as part of this special exhibition.

Founder Member, Clive Lidstone who has the Joseph Thurleigh “Wings for Victory'”Cup presented in 1943 has already offered to loan the cup to be displayed at this year’s show.

If you have memorabilia from the 1943 show that you would be prepared to loan, please contact Holly Farr at the Royal Windsor Horse Show Office (tel: 01753 860633).

Schedules are available for the 2003 show by sending an A5 SAE (72p) to Royal Windsor Horse Show Office, The Royal Mews, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 1FP (Entries close 20 March).

For more information < ahref=”http:// www.royal-windsor-horse-show.co.uk” click here to visit the website.

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