The great and the good from the equestrian world are heading to London this week for the Royal Windsor Horse Show.
World number one
With international competitions across four disciplines, including the newly upgraded CSI5* showjumping and CDI4* dressage, the calibre of competitors entered is higher than ever this year.
In the showjumping there are seven of the world’s top 20 riders competing, including world number one Kent Farrington, who will be looking to reclaim his title in the Rolex Grand Prix.
Nick Skelton retires
Representing Britain are the likes of Scott Brash, John and Michael Whitaker, Ben Maher, Laura Renwick, Jessica Mendoza, William Funnell and Guy Williams. Other big names from all around the globe, include Eric Lamaze, Bertram Allen, Jessica Springsteen, Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Laura Kraut.
On the final day Nick Skelton and his Olympic gold-medal winning partner Big Star will officially retire.
You can watch the action on H&C as we are showing one-hour highlight shows of both the Rolex Grand Prix and the Kingdom of Bahrain Stakes for the King’s Cup.
Can Carl do the double?
In the four-star dressage Carl Hester is back to defend his title, this time with new ride Barolo, a British-bred Hanoverian who has been produced by Charlotte Dujardin. The pair won the 2015 National Championships before moving up to international level last year, when Carl took over the ride.
Also hoping to take the title in the Grand Prix and Freestyle to music is four-time British Olympian, Richard Davison and his home-bred gelding Bubblingh. Another one to watch is Lara Butler who set a personal best with Rubin Al Asad in the Grand Prix in Hagen last year.
H&C will also be showing highlights of the Grand Prix Freestyle to Music.
Top class showing
Another big name coming to Windsor is Australian driver Boyd Exell. The reigning World Champion has won seven times at Royal Windsor – can he win the Land Rover CAIO4* International Driving Grand Prix for an eighth year?
There is also top class showing, with more than 140 classes to choose from. New for this year is the Supreme Ridden Show Champion, which will see champions from across the five days go head-to-head.
Don’t miss H&C’s fantastic footage from Windsor, which feature highlights of all the action, plus behind-the-scenes footage and interviews.
- Royal Windsor: GP Freestyle premiering on Saturday 20 May at 8pm
- Royal Windsor: Bahrain King’s Cup premiering on 20 May at 9pm
- Royal Windsor: Driving GP premiering on 21 May at 8pm
- Royal Windsor: Rolex GP premiering on 23 May at 8pm
You can catch the action on Sky 253 or online by subscribing to H&C Play