HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN WINS AT VIRTUAL WINDSOR HORSE SHOW AS THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSE

After the cancellation of Royal Windsor Horse Show which was to run in the private grounds of Windsor Castle, ‘The Queen’s Back Garden’ from 13-17 May, organisers moved the Show online to create Virtual Windsor 2020. More than 4,200 entries were received for the online Showing competitions, including several from HM The Queen.
A ‘usual’ Royal Windsor Horse Show would receive around 2,800 entries, illustrating how the equestrian community has come together to make Virtual Windsor 2020 a larger success than ever envisioned.
A huge number of viewers watched the Show online with more than 250,000 tuning in to enjoy the event over its five days, while the social media reach soared past the million mark.
The numbers surpassed all expectations and organisers were particularly delighted by the number of viewers from overseas with more than 90 countries getting involved.
24 Showing classes were run over the five-day virtual Show, mixed with streaming of 5* Jumping and Dressage classes from previous live events, along with displays and competitions that you can only see at Royal Windsor Horse Show.
HM The Queen had six entries in the Showing Classes and was the outright winner in two — Class 2 for Cleveland Bays which she won with Wyevale Harry ridden by Matthew Powers and Class 19 the Side Saddle which she won with Stardust ridden by Katie Jerram-Hunnable.
Over the course of the five days, many stars of the equestrian world joined the virtual Show in interviews and commentary. Their Royal Highnesses, The Earl and Countess of Wessex also participated in a video interview showing their support for the event.
As a first-time event for Royal Windsor Horse Show organisers expressed it was more than they could have ever wished for. Simon Brooks-Ward, Show Director ended the Show by thanking all involved and hoping to see everyone again – in the flesh – next year.
Brooks-Ward, said: “We’ve been delighted by the response we’ve had to Virtual Windsor 2020. It’s been fantastic to see the Show’s community getting together to keep the Show going – whether they are competitors, shop holders, sponsors, stewards, judges and officials or visitors – everyone has been engaged. I think it demonstrates how important the Show is for all and how close it is to their hearts.”
Virtual Windsor 2020
Details of the virtual Show can be found by visiting https://virtual.rwhs.co.uk/ the site will be constantly updated and will remain in place throughout the year.
Royal Windsor Horse Show 2021
The Show will return next year from 12-16 May 2021. Over 55,000 visitors are expected to attend the annual Royal Windsor Horse Show, which offers its audience an extensive programme of first-class equestrian competition and performances in five arenas. The displays in the main Castle Arena are set to include The Musical Ride of The Household Calvary Mounted Regiment, The Musical Drive of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, The DAKS Pony Club Mounted Games and The Shetland Pony Grand National. As well as the equestrian competitions and activities, there are over 220 shops in the Shopping Village, with a wide range of goods for sale, from jewellery and fashion, to food and drink. Her Majesty The Queen has attended every year the Show has run since 1943 and it is the only time of the year that the private grounds of Windsor Castle are open to the public. Royal Windsor Horse Show is organised by Windsor Equestrian Promotions Ltd, as part of HPower Group, also organisers of Olympia, The London International Horse Show www.hpower.co.uk