Matthew Sampson riding MGH Candy Girl winners of the CSI5* Defender Challenge Stakes at Royal Windsor Horse Show 2024 @RoyalWindsorHorseShow/PeterNixon

Tickets for the 2025 Royal Windsor Horse Show will go on sale on Monday 28 October 2024. The renowned event is a truly Royal occasion, with His Majesty The King welcomed as the Patron of the Show in 2024. Over four action-packed days from Thursday 15 May to Sunday 18 May 2025, the Show, whose Principal Partner is Defender, will feature world-class equestrian sport, alongside captivating displays and demonstrations, offering an unforgettable experience to all Show goers.

Set within the private grounds of Windsor Castle – which open to the public only once a year during the Show – Royal Windsor Horse Show will host top international competitions in Show Jumping, Driving, and Endurance, as well as national Show Jumping and Showing classes. Visitors can also enjoy an elegant shopping village and a variety of food outlets offering diverse culinary options.

CSI5* International Show Jumping will see the world’s finest horse and rider combinations return for three days of elite competition, including the classes sponsored by Defender on Friday and Saturday and culminating in the highly anticipated Rolex Grand Prix on Sunday 18 May. In the 2024 edition of this prestigious class, 12 riders advanced to the jump-off, including three from the host nation. Britain’s Matt Sampson set an early standard with a double clear, while Robert Whitaker finished just outside the podium in fourth place. However, it was top-10 ranked Swiss rider, Martin Fuchs who triumphed, delivering a flawless double clear with an unbeatable time to claim his second consecutive Rolex Grand Prix victory at Royal Windsor Horse Show.

Boyd Exell winner of FEI Driving World Cup™ Horse Four-In-Hand Marathon at Royal Windsor Horse Show 2024 @RoyalWindsorHorseShow/Peter Nixon

The CAIO4* International Carriage Driving World Cup Qualifier and the CAIP3* Pony Teams International Carriage Driving competitions promise to provide more thrilling action at next year’s Royal Windsor Horse Show. Demanding the utmost levels of horsemanship and precision, the Driving competitions will unfold in three phases: Driven Dressage, showcasing the elegance and control of the horses or ponies and the driver; the Marathon, where teams race through Home Park Private navigating a series of obstacles; and Cone Driving, a test of accuracy and speed.

Royal Windsor Endurance on Friday 16 May will challenge riders along the scenic trails of Windsor Great Park, offering a true test of horse management, stamina and endurance across varied terrains. This event will include international 1*, 2* and 3* level rides over multiple distances and will demonstrate the benefits of outstanding communication and understanding between horse and rider.

Often regarded as the start of the season, Showing at Royal Windsor Horse Show is a cornerstone of the national calendar, and will include a wide array of classes. Horses and ponies from far and wide will converge to compete in various categories, with classes taking place in the Frogmore, Adelaide and Copper Horse Arenas, and several of the Championships featuring in the iconic Castle Arena.

Alongside esteemed equestrian sport, Royal Windsor Horse Show will also showcase a range of exciting equestrian displays, including a Dressage International Masterclass taking place on Thursday afternoon and throughout the week displays from the Defender Shetland Pony Grand National, and the DAKS Pony Club Mounted Games. Following their popular debut in 2024, The Hubs will also return in 2025, offering a range of ‘Live Sessions’ focusing on different areas of interest for the Show visitor. These sessions will include experts who will entertain and inform  spectators across Entertainment, Art, Gardening, Sustainability, and the Children’s Zone.

Show Director, Simon Brooks-Ward commented: “We are very excited about next year’s Royal Windsor Horse Show. After a landmark year for sport in 2024, the 2025 edition of the Show is set to be excellent. Building on last year’s successful expansion of the Show and with a spectacular lineup of displays and attractions, there will be something for everyone."

To find out more about Royal Windsor Horse Show, or to book tickets, visit https://rwhs.co.uk/