There have been a few changes behind the scenes at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, the most significant being that the event has its first female director in its 83-year history in Jo Peck.  Jo has been working for HPower for 23 years and for much of that time oversaw the marketing and publicity.  Her appointment has been roundly welcomed, largely because of her inherent understanding of how events such as Royal Windsor and the London International run, but mainly because she is always delightful to deal with.

Of the full-time office team, Simon Brooks-Ward remains as Chairman of HPower and main overseer, but many of his day-to-day tasks in running the show have passed to Jo.  Penny Henderson continues to keep everyone in order organising the judges and stewards, and Nicola Cole has to be made of strong stuff to manage the entries – and the competitors.  Wiggy Bamforth Evans has moved into Jo’s role and is the press officer, which is also great news for the driving community because she is a fan of all things driven and a sometime companion on my carriage, so she understands what’s involved.

For the broader team that are the main players for the show, Stephen Renouard as Project Director has stepped up to take over more of the duties previously done by Nick Brooks-Ward as Operations Director.  They are supported by Terry Warburton on the operations side and although we have lost his proactive presence on the showground, Alex Abel-Smith remains in touch although he now runs the Endurance competition further out in the park.  Another driving-friendly figure is show vice-chair, Tim Henson who is vastly experienced in running all sorts of events, not least through his famous father Bill who ran Burghley Horse Trials for a long time.

We are fortunate that Royal Windsor is so supportive of driving in its many forms.  This will be my fourth year as Chief Driving Steward overseeing the Coaching, showing and BDS Meet and once again I will be supported by Minta Winn, Nigel Fuller, Mike Rider and Simon Heath.   Our Private Driving and Light Trade judge is Mark Broadbent who has had to juggle his logistics this year because not only is he judging on the Thursday afternoon in the Adelaide Arena, but he is participating in the Coaching Marathon on the Friday driving Portia Kena Kennaway’s Quicksilver Mail Coach.  The show classes are again sponsored by the Carriage Association of America and Dr Tom & Mrs Gloria Burgess – our American friends who are so enthusiastic about British driving endeavours.  Both the Burgesses and Mike Rider, who has recently stepped down as President of the CAA, were at the Glamis CIAT in Scotland for the event’s 10^th anniversary.

We have extended the American connection with the coaching judge who is the vastly experienced Richard Nicoll.  Richard judged the horn blowing two years ago when David Freedman was the coaching judge, but I was so impressed with his knowledge that he was assured of being asked back to judge the main class.  Richard is not only a traditionalist who knows so much about coaching, whip making and the old ways, he was a world class course designer and official for FEI Driving.  It makes him one of the most rounded and experienced judges we could have.

Each year the CAA nominates the horn blowing judge and this year we are delighted to welcome back Katie Whaley who has done it in the past.  Katie is another experienced driver and horsewoman who has competed at all levels, but is perhaps best known for her beautiful hats, some of which will be worn during the driving classes.  Someone who needs no introduction is the Best Turned Out judge, who this year is Matthew Powers, former Royal Head Coachman.  He has driven Royal coaches and turnouts on many occasions at the show.

While we are out with the Coaches, the Driving for the Disabled showing and cones classes will take place in the Adelaide Arena.  Minta manages this and we are looking forward to welcoming Sara Howe as the judge.  Sara is always so enthusiastic and will make the drivers and their support crews feel welcome.

On Sunday, we have a full entry for the Pol Roger BDS Meet and Concours d’Elegance drive.  This has long been one of the highlights of the show for drivers and the chance to not only have a special drive round the park – the late Queen used to watch us from her window at the front of the Castle – but there’s a magical atmosphere in the Castle Arena which is packed on a Sunday lunchtime.  There have been some super winners in recent years – Sonny Hillier with his striking black Friesians in 2023, Gordon Marks and Elspeth Ross with their Friesian Jabor in 2025, and who can forget the enormous smile from Christine Bassett when she was pulled forward as the judge’s choice in 2024.  Let’s hope more dreams come true this year.

FEI DRIVING GRAND PRIX

It’s already a bumper year for the four-in-hand drivers with the Aachen World Championship in August, and Royal Windsor has benefited from the build up to this with a great entry of 26.  Cindy Timmer is running the office again with her longtime collaborator Krisztina Horvarth.  However, there has been a change in the Driving Director who is now Hugh Scott-Barrett, having taken over from Andrew Counsell who was in the role for about 20 years.  Hugh has brought a fresh impetus to the job and as he often does, invested financially too after underwriting the build of a new obstacle on the showground.

The aim is to make this side of the show more accessible to visitors.  The new obstacle is near the Adelaide Arena, which has been moved nearer to the Copper Horse arena, to fit it all in.  Hugh and his team have worked hard to secure more sponsorship, and the resulting prize money is better than in previous years.  There will be a dedicated sponsors’ area between the water obstacle and the dressage arena to enable more interaction between the sponsors and drivers.

With most of the competitors travelling to Royal Windsor from Europe and the inevitable time, expense and paperwork which this entails, greater financial support for them is necessary if the show wishes to retain its gilded status as one of the premier events for the top names.  It’s certainly one of the oldest, having been founded in the early days of driving as an FEI discipline under the guidance of the late Prince Philip. Another incentive for the well-travelled competitors is the drinks reception they have at the Castle.  Also, this is the only 4* event in the run up to Aachen which has eight obstacles on the Marathon, designed by Switzerland’s Michael Mayer.

Driving will also enjoy a high profile with the daily displays by Daniel Naprous in the Castle Arena with the ‘Defender Drive & Drive’.  It’s a format that has been done before, most recently by Boyd Exell, using Dan’s new team, at the Game Fair last summer, but it never fails to captivate the crowds and introduces the concept of different types of horse power.

The great news for fans is that if you can’t make it to the show in person, Horse & Country TV are signed up to cover all the classes in the Castle Arena and the Marathon.  This means that the Coaching and BDS Meet should be available, and the Marathon will be fantastic to watch. For more information about how to sign up and watch the action, or even if you find you can come and need tickets, visit the show website – www.rwhs.co.uk