Royal Windsor Horse Show is the UK's largest annual outdoor equestrian event.

It is the one time of year the public can have access to the Castle's private grounds.

The show provides visitors with the very best in every type ofequestrian pursuit and is the only show in the country to host international competitions in show jumping, driving and endurance.

Over its four days Royal Windsor Horse Show offers five different arenas for these and some 120 showing classes.

There is also a full programme of stunning equestrian displays along with a range of family entertainment and a shopping village with equestrian, country and lifestyle outlets.

The 2026 Royal Windsor Horse Show will be held from 14 to 17 May in 2026.

https://rwhs.co.uk/

Royal Windsor's pedigree stretches back over eight decades

By Ashley Gibbins

This horse show was first staged in 1943 to help raise funds for the War effort and has been held every year since then.

When it was first held it was heralded as The Windsor Horse and Dog Show, writes Ashley Gibbins, and raised 'war effort' funds.

It received immediate royal endorsement with the then King George VI; Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) and the young princesses Elizabeth and Margaret all in attendance.

That first show, in 1943, raised a grand total £391,197, enough to buy 78 Typhoon fighter aircraft to help the Royal Air Force fight the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain.

Lurcher steals the Royal lunch

While that show was a great success, it was not without controversary.

A cheeky lurcher stole a piece of chicken from King George V's lunch plate, an act that so distressed the organisers the canine element of the show was removed for the following and subsequent years.

And a ban on dogs from the showground has remained in place ever since.

The show was extended to two days in 1946 and now offers four equestrian packed days.

Royal support for the Show continues

The late Queen Elizabeth, a keen horsewoman, won the Pony and Dogcart class at that first show and entered her horses and ponies in show classes throughout her reign.

Her husband Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh, was a regular competitor in the International Driving Grand Prix.

The British Royal family continue to be keen supporters of the now Royal Windsor Horse Show.

All one could wish for in an equestrian day out

By Ann Mealor

The UK's largest outdoor horse show joyously embraces every aspect of equine pursuit.

Ashley and I lock in a number of annual horse shows during the year.

There's June's Bolesworth International in Cheshire; the Longines Global Champions Tour at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in August and the London International Horse Show at Excel in December.

Royal Windsor Horse Show has it all

While these three, and others, each offer their own special allure, Royal Windsor Horse Show brings together every conceivable form of equestrian pursuit.

What is the UK's largest outdoor horse show, offers visitors the one chance to gain access to the Castle's private grounds.

During each of the four days of the Show, one has five different arenas with top class showjumping, international carriage driving and endurance and to choose from.

There are also over 120 horse and pony showing events along with carriage driving and coaching displays and an international polo match.

Other crowd pleasers include the Musical Drive of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery; the DAKS Pony Club Mounted Games and the ever-popular Defender Shetland Pony Grand National.

Enhancing everything 'horsey' the Show has an extensive shopping village along with many places to sit and eat and be entertained.

Royal Windsor Horse Show gives those with a real interest in horses all they could wish for while also offering a really great day out for everyone else.

AllWays leading to Royal Windsor Horse Show

Download your copy of AllWays leading toRotyal Windsor Horse Show

More information :

Royal Windsor Horse Show is held over four days each May in the private grounds of Windsor Castle, in the Berkshire town of Windsor.

The 2026 Show will be held from 14th to 17th May, with a range of ticket types :

https://rwhs.co.uk/royal-windsor-horse-show-tickets/general-entry-tickets/

There is a full programme of events and activities on each of the four Show days : starting early morning and running through to early evening :

https://rwhs.co.uk/programme-windsor-horse-show/

https://rwhs.co.uk/visitor-info/

https://rwhs.co.uk/