The start of something special

Royal Windsor is often a show horse's first experience of an electric 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 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.