DATR win Challenge Cup Royal Windsor Horse Show — The Defence Animal Training Regiment won the Challenge Cup at the Royal Windsor Horse Show (Picture: Brian Leung/ASCB).

Equestrian

Military showjumpers dazzle at Royal Windsor Horse Show

Military showjumpers from across the services have taken part in the The Kingdom of Bahrain Services Team Showjumping event at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, with teams from the Army dominating the field.

The Royal Windsor Horse Show is one of the showcase events that the Armed Forces are invited to annually to compete with either military working horses or their own horses.

The Services Team Showjumping – set at a height of 1.05m – includes the Challenge Cup for the winning Mounted Unit, and the Queen's Plate for the winning non-military working horse team.

In the Challenge Cup, the Defence Animal Training Regiment (DATR) won the title after Warrant Officer (Class 2) Michael McGrath, Corporal of Horse Andrew Mancey and Sergeant Shaun Kershaw won the concurrent competition for Military Working Horses.

The Queen's Plate for non-military working horses saw the Army field four very strong teams in an extremely tight and competitive field.

Army Team Marlborough just missed out on taking the top spot by a narrow 1.80 seconds as Team Templar, Team Slim and Team Wavell took third, fourth and fifth respectively.

Staff Sergeant Louise Hoyle of Army Team Templar was the highest-placed individual showjumper and won a bridle which was presented by the Prime Warden of the Worshipful Company of Saddlers.

Proud Chef d’Equipe moment!

Absolutely thrilled with the very talented 4 Army Teams securing 2nd-5th places at Royal Windsor Horse Show in the Services Showjumping class at the weekend!@ArmyEquiUK @ArmySportASCB @ArmySportsLTRY @BFBSSport @BritishArmy pic.twitter.com/2qIsDsiv2u
— Sarah Karim (@SarahKarim3) May 15, 2023

The Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy also fielded teams with RAF Team 1 tying with the Royal Navy in seventh place.

Royal Navy showjumper Lieutenant Katie McManus said: “It was a great honour to compete at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, and a special experience to ride in the International Arena.

"Made even more fun by the support our families and friends gave us on the day, we are also grateful to Team Coach Wendy Foot, and the Hireling Team Alex and Rosie for making it such a fun and rewarding event."

Lieutenant Katie McManus Royal Windsor Horse — Royal Navy showjumper Lieutenant Katie McManus on Tonka at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. (Picture: RNEA).

Two other Air Force teams, RAF Team 2 and RAF Team 3, finished 10th and 26th respectively.

The Royal Windsor Horse Show was first held in 1943 as part of fundraising for the war effort during the Second World War.

The inaugural event was hosted by King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and the two young Princesses, Elizabeth and Margaret.

It has continued to run every year since and is now the only show in the UK to host international competitions in Showjumping, Dressage, Driving and Endurance.