With just three weeks to go until Royal Windsor Horse Show (8 - 12 May 2013), the organisers have been overwhelmed with the record number of entries. 4095 have been entered to compete in the 174 classes, taking place in three arenas during the five day event. Over three years, entries have increased by 40%, which bucks the underlying trend.
The show will celebrate not only its 70th Anniversary this year with record entries, it will also host its first international Endurance Ride in the Great Park. Supported by The Kingdom of Bahrain, the Ride will attract competitors from the Middle East and Europe and will cover 120km of the outstanding landscape.
The Show Jumping entries for the event include entries from London 2012 Olympic Gold Medal winner, Peter Charles. He will be competing in The Alltech Royal Windsor Grand Prix alongside other household names, including Tim Stockdale, Tina Fletcher, Will Funnell, Trevor Breen and David McPherson.
With the Inter Schools Show Jumping competition now well established in its 3rd year at the Show, Royal Windsor has introduced 'The University Challenge'. Four university teams will be battling it out on Thursday 9th May in the British Horse Society Arena. Royal Windsor hopes to establish this event as one of the key events for university teams across the country.
Alongside the competitive classes, which includes the increasingly popular Land Rover International Carriage Driving Grand Prix, visitors can also enjoy equestrian displays and fun competitions; the DAKS Pony Club Mounted Games, The Musical Drive of the King's Troop RHA, The Musical Ride of the Household Cavalry, the Shetland Pony Grand National and The Bahrain Arab Horse Display.
Home to more than 200 shops, where you can find everything from all types of equestrian goodies, to jewellery, clothing, homeware and arts and crafts, the event also boasts a fantastic food and drink festival, as well as the Land Rover 'Ultradeck' 4 x 4 course, an old fashioned fun fair and a generous selection of bars, restaurants and cafes for visitors to enjoy. The annual event attracts over 40,000 equestrian enthusiasts from around the UK with a broad range of attendees.
Simon Brooks Ward, Show Director said: "The level of entries for this year's Show is extremely encouraging. We work hard to provide an interesting programme for our visitors and competitors and I am delighted that Royal Windsor continues to have a packed timetable. There is a lot going on in our 70th year and we all believe that this will be a truly vintage Horse Show."
Ticket information
Tickets are on sale now and are priced between ú10 and ú20 with various discounts available for groups, seniors and children. For further information and a confirmed programme of events please visit www.rwhs.co.uk. For tickets, call the box office on 0844 581 4960.
