Edited press release from Royal Windsor Horse Show

Gregory Wathelet (BEL) and the 14-year-old stallion Nevados S (Calvados Z x Romualdo) won Sunday's CSI5* 1.60m Rolex Grand Prix at Royal Windsor Horse Show, which saw the world’s best horse and rider combinations battle it out for the prestigious title.

Bernardo Costa Cabral’s up-to-height 1.60m course proved challenging, with only three riders making it through to the jump-off. First to go in the jump-off, Wathelet laid down the gauntlet with the tightest of turns to the Rolex double at the far end of the arena and flying down to the final fence to set the time to beat of 34.79 seconds aboard Nevados S. Max Kühner (AUT) was next to take up the challenge and he set out meaning business with Elektric Blue P (Eldorado Vd Zeshoek x For Pleasure), however he was not able to match Wathelet’s time when stopping the clock at 36.09 seconds. It was left to Daniel Bluman (ISR) as the final remaining rider to catch Wathelet's time, but in trying to do so, he accrued four faults at the very last fence – leaving him in third.

Wathelet said: “It is amazing to win a Grand Prix, especially a Rolex Grand Prix. I jumped in the Nations Cup at La Baule last week and the horse was jumping really well, so I was confident coming to Royal Windsor that he was on great form. It was a tough course which was very up to height, but I thought there would be more clears from the top combinations. Even though there weren’t many riders in the jump-off you still have to go fast and clear to win. The show is incredible, the atmosphere and the crowds are amazing, all of the riders love coming here.”