Bold changes to the format of this year’s show certainly seemed to pay off. The organisers had been at great pains to provide artificial walkways around many of the trade stands and in the car park somewhat ironically since just for once, the show was blessed with perfect weather conditions. The Castle Ring looked a picture throughout and the new free seating arrangements for the public were warmly welcomed I don’t ever recall seeing such a large crowd on the first day (the car park was overflowing well before lunchtime!) and they continued to pour in until Sunday evening.

For those of us who have been regular visitors over the years it did seem strange without the Eton Ring and its loss, combined with the show being reduced to a four day format, sadly meant the sacrifice of quite a few classes, including some which have proved popular in the past, including the miniature horses, Andalusians, in-hand hunters and perhaps most surprisingly, the ridden Arabs. It is not that long since the latter class had so many entries that a double line-up was called for… however times change and the show has to reflect the shifting fashions of the equestrian world if it is to thrive and grow as it seems certain to do.

The more spacious layout received most favourable comment and hopefully the show has now found a successful formula which it can continue to build upon in the future. Some traditions were maintained; one of them being that Thursday is ‘Hunters Day’, although these classes did not receive the support that they used to in either quantity or quality in depth of the entries. In most classes one or two stood out and the results were fairly predictable, even to the ‘ringside’ judges! Liz Morley’s commentary on the Novice Hunter Classes which she helped judge in the Datchet ring, confirmed this view, but still felt that the top horses were very nice indeed.

Mrs Killingbeck and Canterbury Tales winner of the Novice Hunter Championship

Ultimately the Novice Hunter Championship was won by Canterbury Tales, the Novice Lightweight Winner, ridden by Mrs Killingbeck – a horse who has all the substance required of a hunter, combined with elegance. Nevertheless, apparently the Championship was a close run affair with the Novice Heavyweight winner Lawretto eventually standing Reserve. Maybe the result could have been swung by a really good gallop in the Championship, but Lawretto, like others in the Championship classes held back somewhat. According to Miss Morley he is a deceptive horse having more substance at close quarters than may appear to be the case at first glance. His owners, Mr & Mrs Fitchett, should be consoled by her conclusion that “he is only 5 and will make up into a really nice horse”.

Hunter class aficionados (of which there are quite a few at Royal Windsor!) gathered around the Datchet Ring were disappointed by the lack of entries before the judges for the weight classes. Historically these classes held centre stage in the Castle Ring but without greater support it is hard to imagine them moving back there… just another sign of changing times no doubt.

Robert Walker rode Royal Flush to repeat his win in the Lightweight Hunter Class of 2003. Originally pulled in behind Way Out West, he went much better for the Judge Mr McKie, and it was no surprise when the positions were reversed.

Robert Oliver and Osborne Refrigerator’s Sunday Best took the Middleweight Class - their first outing since their success at The Horse of The Year Show last year and Ben Mhor ridden by Magnus Nicholson took the Heavyweight Class. However they both had to stand aside in the Championship when Royal Flush stood above them both – not bad for his first outing of the season!

© Sue Wingate - The Joy of Horses 2004