Windsor’s “superb” track praised as International jumping returns to show
INTERNATIONAL show jumping staged a welcome return to Royal Windsor Horse Show for the first time in 10 years on the opening public day at the 2008 show.
Under blazing skies and with the stunning backdrop of Windsor Castle making the show’s Castle Arena one of the most prestigious venues on the international show jumping circuit, a 28-strong field contested the opening International Land Rover Stakes.
Guy Williams and Skip Two Ramiro opened their account at the show with a fast round that squeezed Mark Armstrong and Sefana into second place with Robert Whitaker and Lacroix in third.
Guy Williams said welcomed the return of international competition at Windsor and said the run would give him a good springboard to next month’s Hickstead Derby.
Second placed Mark Armstrong was full of praise for the track at Windsor. “We are lucky to have this surface to jump on. It’s a show to be proud of. I’d rather be here than in La Baule.”
Ireland’s Shane Breen was the leading visitor, taking seventh place with Carmena Z.
With a packed array of showing classes and attractions including a fantastic range of 200 shops, the Land Rover 4X4 ‘experience’, The Royal Windsor Food and Drink Festival, entertaining displays in the main arena from tent-pegging to the Shetland pony grand national and Pony Club mounted games, the opening day proved a real crowd puller.
Organiser Simon Brooks-Ward said: “I am delighted that we have brought international jumping back to Royal Windsor for the first time in 10 years. This year’s programme is part of the build up to hosting the 2009 European Show Jumping and Dressage Championships next August which will be a huge event for horse sport in this country. The success of jumping at this year’s show will mean that it is something that we can build on for the future. What we have here is a mini-Aachen in the making and our vision is to stage a really first-class international show.”
