Showing at royal Windsor 2024

[Ant123]

I would love to show my Welsh Section C at Windsor in 2024. Does anyone know how I can enter. I understand you don’t need to qualify. Any advice would be greatly appreciated- it is a total dream of mine to compete there but I just don’t know how to get started. Many thanksAntonia

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

You will need to wait for the schedule to come out next year.

What classes were you looking to do? Inhand? Ridden?

Firstly make sure the judge has no connection to your pony (ie hasn't bred it or owned it at some stage). Then enter away when entries open. I think they are done online mostly.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Next year, RWHS and Badminton are swapping weekends due to a Badminton issue, so RWHS is the 1st to 5th May (yes, the Wednesday is back) just for 2024.
Schedule is usually out end Feb (on line only) with entries closing early March. Native in hand is the Friday morning starting by 8am, championship by lunchtime.
Check the class you want to enter, check who is judging- as you cannot show under breeder or any previous owners. Wait till 2 weeks before and you'll get electronically sent your pass for the horsebox plus the passes to then be exchanged once on the showground for wrist bands and get your number.
You need to allow plenty of time..... it can take 20+ mins to walk from the box park to the rings.
Check dress code, hats mandatory in the ring.

 

[Northern Hare]

Hi Antonia, they've released the RWHS '24 dates, which are Wed 1st to Sun 5th May.

What about dropping the Show Team an email to check when entries are likely to open for the showing classes?

RWHS is such a wonderful show. I volunteered last week for all five days and had a really fantastic time - there's something for everyone at the show.

Good luck with your planning for RWHS '24!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

It's a lovely show I went a few years back and while I was standing by a ring the late Queen came walking by with her entourage, they literally stopped right next to me and I got a lovely picture of her walking away.

 

[SO1]

Lovely show. Very easy to enter online. No need to qualify. Make sure you allow enough time to get into the lorry park. It is useful to have a helper especially if doing the ridden class.

 

[LEC]

Anyone can enter any class? It must make numbers huge and be like watching paint dry more than normal! I thought it was a horrible show when I went a few years ago just the worst of the horse world. Pretentious, elitist, too much showing and far too much support from nefarious countries with their own agenda (Dubai etc) I watched a bit of the showing and it was the pits. The warm up was wrapped up obese ponies in tight martingales ridden by oversized kids. The Section Ds were obese. More atmosphere at a one day agri show.

 

[conniegirl]

Anyone can enter any class? It must make numbers huge and be like watching paint dry more than normal! I thought it was a horrible show when I went a few years ago just the worst of the horse world. Pretentious, elitist, too much showing and far too much support from nefarious countries with their own agenda (Dubai etc) I watched a bit of the showing and it was the pits. The warm up was wrapped up obese ponies in tight martingales ridden by oversized kids. The Section Ds were obese. More atmosphere at a one day agri show.

Maybe ho watch something more to your liking then. Royal Windsor is primarily a showing show so i don’t see how you can complain that there was too much of the shows original purpose?

I think most showjumping classes are the pits too. Far to may horses with half a tack shop on their head, looking thoroughly miserable a being flung at jumps they are not prepared for.

Can’t say Chatsworth was great viewing this week either. Lots of very tired horses who should have been pulled up well before they were, tired horses being smacked repeatedly to try and get a little more out of them. Horses falling, being hurt and yes lots of pretentious and frankly rude people.

So horses for courses, go watch something else.

 

[Tiddlypom]

That's surprising to hear that there is no need to qualify for the showing classes at Royal Windsor. It's more of a pumped up local show that folk can rock up to with their no hopers, then, to enjoy a day out. Not that there is anything wrong with that.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

That's surprising to hear that there is no need to qualify for the showing classes at Royal Windsor. It's more of a pumped up local show that folk can rock up to with their no hopers, then, to enjoy a day out. Not that there is anything wrong with that.

You don't need to qualify for the majority of shows for showing. HOYS & Olympia you do. You get some local & national Championship shows that you can qualify for but also enter other classes. But the rest are fair game for anyone to enter.

 

[conniegirl]

That's surprising to hear that there is no need to qualify for the showing classes at Royal Windsor. It's more of a pumped up local show that folk can rock up to with their no hopers, then, to enjoy a day out. Not that there is anything wrong with that.

You can rock up but a lot of classes you will need memberships of various societies in order to compete and potentially height certificates.

Also a lot of the classes are HOYS andRIHS qualifiers so very very high standard

 

[Ant123]

You will need to wait for the schedule to come out next year.

What classes were you looking to do? Inhand? Ridden?

Firstly make sure the judge has no connection to your pony (ie hasn't bred it or owned it at some stage). Then enter away when entries open. I think they are done online mostly.

Thank you so much. I would love to do the ridden. I need some time to learn about the dos and fonts of the showing world but I have no aspirations for success, just a string desire to be part of that environment, just once in my life.

 

[conniegirl]

Thank you so much. I would love to do the ridden. I need some time to learn about the dos and fonts of the showing world but I have no aspirations for success, just a string desire to be part of that environment, just once in my life.

For the C inhand classes all you need is your green welsh passport and enough money to enter.
For the M&M whp classes you will need a height cert, green passport and NPS membership
For the ridden C class you need a height cert, green passport and BSPS membership.

Also note that royal windsor require your horse to have had its vaccines within 6 months before the show not 12 months like most.

 

[Squeak]

Probably telling you what you already know but make sure you get out to some higher level shows beforehand and that your horse is used to a busier atmosphere. You can also ask the judge at those shows if they'd mind giving you some feedback.

I competed last year and it was absolutely heaving with people and crowded all around the ring, there was a lot of atmosphere. Absolutely amazing experience, I really enjoyed it.

 

[humblepie]

It is open to anyone registered to the appropriate society but the classes are huge and the standard is immensely high. I have show jumped there and shown in recent years. The classes are high quality full of top horses and the atmosphere is big - you can have the four in hand carriages with the carriage person (sorry don't know correct title) blowing the horn as they go by (happened to my horse twice as was being ride judged....), last year we had bagpipers warming up, another year I was warming up horse up alongside the tent pegging horses practicising their tent pegging. It is a fabulous show to compete at although a lot of walking. To have your horse well enough schooled to hand over to a ride judge in that atmosphere takes something, as it does with all county shows. I fully accept it is not to everyone's liking but how much more fun to compete there than a show centre on a surface (albeit two of the rings are now surfaces and two are still grass). They even (not sure if in all classes) have a person in uniform blowing a horn in the middle of the ring to signify change of pace and a person in military uniform brings out the rosettes. If you get the chance, go for it but ensure your pony is well trained and used to lots of things. And make sure you get a photo by the river (ideally not in the river). And if you win a class they send you a photo free of charge - was amazed when this photo turned up in the post, wondering if OH had secretly ordered then realised it was courtesy of the show.

 

[catkin]

If you can maybe do some prep this summer so you know how she will react to a buzzy show with all sorts going on. Each pony will have their own ideas ( I had one who was a real showgirl - and seemed to think if there werent bouncy castles, flags and Shetland ponies around the place then it wasn't a Proper Day Out, and another pony who was bored silly and thought plonking round a ring was a waste of a time)
Do you have some of the bigger one-day agricultural shows in your area? They usually have Welsh or M&M classes for registered ponies. What you will be required to do will be pretty standard for both in-hand and ridden so the pair of you can refine your performance ready for the big stuff next year.
Have fun if you decide to go for it.

 

[Ant123]

For the C inhand classes all you need is your green welsh passport and enough money to enter.
For the M&M whp classes you will need a height cert, green passport and NPS membership
For the ridden C class you need a height cert, green passport and BSPS membership.

Also note that royal windsor require your horse to have had its vaccines within 6 months before the show not 12 months like most.

You are amazing- thank you so much for the info. My pony ( actually my daughters) competed at Windsor in 2015 so unless the criteria have changed, he should fit the remit. Thank you again

 

[Ant123]

It is open to anyone registered to the appropriate society but the classes are huge and the standard is immensely high. I have show jumped there and shown in recent years. The classes are high quality full of top horses and the atmosphere is big - you can have the four in hand carriages with the carriage person (sorry don't know correct title) blowing the horn as they go by (happened to my horse twice as was being ride judged....), last year we had bagpipers warming up, another year I was warming up horse up alongside the tent pegging horses practicising their tent pegging. It is a fabulous show to compete at although a lot of walking. To have your horse well enough schooled to hand over to a ride judge in that atmosphere takes something, as it does with all county shows. I fully accept it is not to everyone's liking but how much more fun to compete there than a show centre on a surface (albeit two of the rings are now surfaces and two are still grass). They even (not sure if in all classes) have a person in uniform blowing a horn in the middle of the ring to signify change of pace and a person in military uniform brings out the rosettes. If you get the chance, go for it but ensure your pony is well trained and used to lots of things. And make sure you get a photo by the river (ideally not in the river). And if you win a class they send you a photo free of charge - was amazed when this photo turned up in the post, wondering if OH had secretly ordered then realised it was courtesy of the show.

Thank you for you advice. I intend to take him out to see how he copes. He has competed at Windsor before (2015) but doesn’t go out to big shows regularly. I can imagine that’s a big factor. I won’t pursue it if he seems stressed- it wouldn’t be fair. Maybe I will start with an in hand show. Your advice is invaluable-thank you so much

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Thank you for you advice. I intend to take him out to see how he copes. He has competed at Windsor before (2015) but doesn’t go out to big shows regularly. I can imagine that’s a big factor. I won’t pursue it if he seems stressed- it wouldn’t be fair. Maybe I will start with an in hand show. Your advice is invaluable-thank you so much

There's plenty of agricultural shows and things to go to this year to suss your pony out long long before Windsor entries come around next year.

Enjoy wherever you go!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

That's surprising to hear that there is no need to qualify for the showing classes at Royal Windsor. It's more of a pumped up local show that folk can rock up to with their no hopers, then, to enjoy a day out. Not that there is anything wrong with that.

It's definitely not for no hopers the standard is really high all the top show people go your really up against it.

 

[Tiddlypom]

It's definitely not for no hopers the standard is really high all the top show people go your really up against it.

But no hopers can enter if they want? They wouldn't get placed, but they'd have had their day out.

 

[conniegirl]

But no hopers can enter if they want? They wouldn't get placed, but they'd have had their day out.

If your local no hoper wants to pay the membership and measurement fees then more power to them.

£100 for measuring, plus fuel and a day off work to get them to the measurer
£60 for adult BSPS membership
£37 for BSPS pony registration
(Other societies are a similar price or more expensive)

Then i think its £70 a class entry fee.

So the best part of £300 to do one class
Plus what ever it costs to make sure your vaccines are within the 6 months preceding the show.

makes it a very expensive day out.

 

[Tiddlypom]

£300 and the chance of getting some really nice photos of no hoper at Royal Windsor for display . Why not.

People spend their money on much dafter things than that.

Showing die hards may look down their noses at the no hopers, but their entry fees are as good as anyone else's.

 

[fetlock]

It’s a very expensive day out for a no hoper however these days even a no hoper can enjoy a modicum of success, depending on the class of choice. BSPS showing in particular is on its knees. At Windsor many of the flat classes (plaited) had less than six in them. In days gone by there would have been thirty in each of those classes, with a front and a back line.

Same at the BSPS championships - just a handful in a lot of classes that in days gone by would have had fifty (and over 100 in the WHP classes).

Hoys is different but possible now with a very mediocre animal to qualify for RI by just showing up as a lot of qualifiers have just a couple entered, some none at all. Again, in days gone by RI qualification was as hotly contested as Hoys qualifiers with equally huge classes for both. It’s a crying shame what’s happened to showing.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

It's the same at The Highland and everyone wants their hedge pic. If you want to pay the money then on you go! Nothing stopping you at all.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

It’s a very expensive day out for a no hoper however these days even a no hoper can enjoy a modicum of success, depending on the class of choice. BSPS showing in particular is on its knees. At Windsor many of the flat classes (plaited) had less than six in them. In days gone by there would have been thirty in each of those classes, with a front and a back line.

Same at the BSPS championships - just a handful in a lot of classes that in days gone by would have had fifty (and over 100 in the WHP classes).

Hoys is different but possible now with a very mediocre animal to qualify for RI by just showing up as a lot of qualifiers have just a couple entered, some none at all. Again, in days gone by RI qualification was as hotly contested as Hoys qualifiers with equally huge classes for both. It’s a crying shame what’s happened to showing.

Agreed, I remember even the nursery stakes and 13hh at the champs had upwards of 60 entered!
A front row pull in the 12.2 sp was a blooming good start!
These days the coloured classes are usually rammed,also the natives are still holding strong.

 

[minesadouble]

For M&M WHP I'm pretty sure you only need a height cert. for HOYS.
My daughter competes BSPS Heritage workers (though not HOYS tracks) on her Connemara and we don't need a height cert.
I also didn't have one for our old C who did flat at County level.

 

[dottylottie]

It’s a very expensive day out for a no hoper however these days even a no hoper can enjoy a modicum of success, depending on the class of choice. BSPS showing in particular is on its knees. At Windsor many of the flat classes (plaited) had less than six in them. In days gone by there would have been thirty in each of those classes, with a front and a back line.

Same at the BSPS championships - just a handful in a lot of classes that in days gone by would have had fifty (and over 100 in the WHP classes).

Hoys is different but possible now with a very mediocre animal to qualify for RI by just showing up as a lot of qualifiers have just a couple entered, some none at all. Again, in days gone by RI qualification was as hotly contested as Hoys qualifiers with equally huge classes for both. It’s a crying shame what’s happened to showing.

my nana was stewarding for her good friend at windsor this year (won’t say which classes/breed for obvious reasons!) and they had 5 in their inhand class, 6 in their ridden. suppose that at least leaves the no hopers with a bit more hope than usual though

 

[humblepie]

Day I was there classes were busy. 25 in mine I think and similar last year. It is a sign of the times I think re low entries in many things. I don’t like the phrase no hopers - am sure most of us have been long odds at some stage and I’m always happy to offer help. Definitely everything in our class in with a chance.

 

[SO1]

A lot of the native ponies are now on the rare breeds list so the numbers are really low.

There are a lot of spectators at Windsor and it is a show case for the breeds to promote them perhaps to people who may not have considered them.

The veteran and coloured classes seem to be huge.

The ridden welsh C class seemed to have quite a few in. There is now a best condition award in some of the ridden classes so that might be something people who do not have ponies with producers or perhaps not the top combination can aim for, a fit sound pony at a healthy weight is something we can all aim for.