ROYAL WINDSOR is the first of three majors – followed by the Royal International Horse Show and the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) – that professional riders set their sights on for the season.
“It’s the first time that the north and south come together, and we’re often seeing each other’s new competition for the first time,” confirms multi-Windsor champion Danielle Heath. “You might think you have something special at home, but you won’t truly know how good it is until it’s been to Windsor.”
Danielle has won on novices at Windsor several times, but one horse stands out in her memory for selling his potential after a victory, aged four – Paul Mortimer’s small riding horse, Whittakers Prince.
“When he got into the Castle Arena championship, he rose to the occasion; they can either have a bit of a wobble or say, ‘Bring it on,’ and he did the latter. He stood champion at HOYS the following year as a five-year-old,” says Danielle.
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Esta historia es de la edición April 25, 2024 de Horse & Hound.
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The joys of spring
With the hunters roughed off, Tessa Waugh is enjoying some time pottering around among the spring blooms, defuzzing the ponies and catching up on the postman's gossip
'That golden thread, and a zest for life'
In the latest of his series about great huntsmen he knew personally, Alastair Jackson remembers Tim Langley, who spent 30 years at the Berkeley
Notable leaves us Speechless
All-weather winners switch to turf to claim the first two Classics of the season and a globe-trotting son of Frankel scoops his biggest win at the age of nine
Faultless Faurie
Emile Faurie and Bellevue's mistake-free performance secures them an emotional freestyle win while “family horse” Goldstrike continues to step up
Dean proves untouchable
A Windsor debutante brushes aside some fierce opposition and a \"quirky and feisty\" chestnut mare follows in her sister's footsteps
Fuchs claims back-to-back victories
The sensational Swiss rider is richly rewarded with a “special” double on his phenomenal grey, with Robert Whitaker best of the Brits
Super-Bert's royal return
Beloved natives are the order of the day and two coloureds triumph under saddle
Welsh stallion is the perfect Example
A stallion bred in Holland is the top inhand pony, while a Connemara shines once more at his favourite showground
Gambler is the real deal
A coloured pony breaks records, perseverance with a tricky show pony pays and a working hunter pony is a standout winner
Slip collector organiser
Fi Norbury on the childhood thrill of being mistaken for a competitor, perfect grooming and Badminton’s crowds