As spring arrives in England so does the one time of the year where the Queen unlocks her back garden to welcome guests into the private grounds at Windsor Castle. Royals and the public alike gather at the lush garden for an event filled with excitement, lavishness, and entertainment. One of the Queen’s favoured events of the year, the Royal Windsor Horse Show offers its visitors four luxury-packed days of top-class equestrian disciplines, riders, and horses.

Hosted in Windsor Castle, Berkshire, the horse show has become the UK’s largest outdoor equestrian event. For almost 80 years, the horse show has invited visitors to experience the event up close. Packed with equine disciplines such as International Show Jumping, International dressage and International Carriage Driving, it’s the event to visit for every equestrian enthusiast. More than just a regular horse show, visitors are also treated to exciting entertainment acts such as The Musical Ride of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, The Musical Drive of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, DAKS Pony Club Mounted Games and the Shetland Pony Grand National.

Marking its beginnings in 1943, the Royal Windsor Horse show was founded to help raise funds for the English army in World War II. Running every year since, it has now become the only UK-based horse show to host international competitions in Dressage, Show Jumping, Driving and Endurance. Once called the Windsor Horse and Dog show, the event is usually attended by key members of the Royal Family. The Queen herself won the Pony and Dogcart class at the very first show. Throughout the years, the Royal Family has entered many home-bred horses and ponies in different classes. The Duke of Edinburgh was a regular competitor in the International Driving Grand Prix until his retirement from the sport in 2003. In 2018, the Royal Windsor Horse Show celebrated 75 years of horse show excellency.

The wide variety of competitions for junior and senior contestants ranging from all aspects of horsemanship and country life make the Royal Windsor Horse Show the only one of its kind. One of the most popular segments with spectators is Show Jumping as it thrills spectators. Other popular displays enjoyed by guests, especially the younger ones, include the dog show and the Shetland Pony race.

The most exciting non-competitive segment of the show is the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, where six teams of horses enter the arena in perfect synchronization, each pulling heavy artillery pieces and limbers, astonishing visitors each year. Young soldiers dressed in uniforms act as markers for the riders, placing themselves around the ring. The horses, cannons and limbers race past the soldiers within a few inches, creating a tension-filled atmosphere in the arena. The finale of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery act features six guns being fired, first individually then all together, creating a sound that can be heard all over the town of Windsor. Great cheers and applause arise from the audience as the troop gallops towards the exit.

Visitor looking to indulge into the equestrian lifestyle, will enjoy the accompanying shopping village. The village is split up into four areas: Horse and Rider, Country Lifestyle and Living, Jewelry and Fashion, and the Windsor food court. The shopping village provides its guests with everything equine related. The Horse and Rider Zone offers an array of equine products ranging from transportation and feed to clothing essentials. The Country Lifestyle and Living includes home furniture, all in a country-life theme. Beautiful clothes and statement pieces can be found in the Jewelry and Fashion Quarter, where visitors can browse for new additions to their wardrobe. Highlighted products and services can be found in the Royal Warrant Holders Association Pavilion, an association officially recognized by the households of the Royal Family.

The Royal Windsor Horse show gives the public an exceptional opportunity to see royals and the big names of the equestrian sport. The Queen is a regular at this event, with guests spotting her walking around the showground. The Duke of Cambridge, Prince Phillip, as well as the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, have also been seen visiting the horse show in Windsor. With some luck and a good pair of eyes guests might be able to spot them in the crowd.

In recent years, the show marks its end with a magnificent firework display. The fireworks always awe guests as the pops of color illuminate the Windsor Castle beneath it. The audience is invited onto the arena itself to provide the best view of the spectacle as the Royal Windsor Horse Show comes to an end.

From competitions to showcases to fine foods and fashion, there is something for everyone at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. There is a reason the Queen returns to this event every year to enjoy the many activities and spectacles present. The horse show offers anyone interested in equestrian lifestyle an unforgettable occasion.