AROYAL CATALYST
Royal Windsor is often a show horse’s first experience of an electric Preview atmosphere. Alex Robinson learns how the pros use the prestigious fixture to see if an animal has what it takes for the big league
ROYAL WINDSOR preview
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.
“I would rarely take a four-year-old to Windsor, though, given how early it is in the season. It’s a very big ask for a baby just broken through the previous winter, and a five-year-old is likely better equipped for the occasion. It’s ideal for the slightly older novice as while it’s busy and buzzy, the venue is spacious with plenty of working-in space, and there is room to gradually acclimatise a horse prior to going in the ring.”
FELLOW show horse specialist Vicky Smith agrees that a second-season novice is likely to shine brighter.
“It’s a prestigious show to win, but you have to be going some to do that, which is why I’d try to aim for it with a five-year-old that has done a few shows the previous season,” says Vicky.
“Knowing when not to show a horse at Windsor is important, too; taking one that isn’t ready can really blow its brains. It’s an early show, so sometimes you’re entering horses that you haven’t even had out yet, but you may just have to enter and make a choice at a later date.”
Vicky says one of the key ingredients to Windsor success is starting your preparation early: “With the show being held a few days earlier this year, I’ve had to start showing sooner than I ordinarily would, as I like each horse to have had at least two outings prior. They’re also clipped earlier too, as I’m conscious of how their coats are going to look with the sun on their backs in front of a crowd for the
