Edited press release from Royal Windsor Horse Show

Friday's opening CSI5* class at Royal Windsor Horse Show, a 1.45m two-phase competition, went to 2020 Olympic team gold medalist Henrik von Eckermann (SWE).

Guy Williams (GBR) took an early lead aboard Rouge de Ravel (Ultimo Van Ter Moude x Quouglof Rouge), making all the turns to set a time to beat at 25.66 and giving the crowd something to cheer about. For much of the class, it looked like Williams was going to bring home a British victory, but Christian Ahlmann (GER) rode a masterful second phase against the clock to take the lead on Calvino 16 (Castelan II x Literat 12). However, with just four to go, Von Eckermann, partnering the nine-year-old mare Iliana (Cardento 933 x Gentleman), jumped a flawless round to shave 0.04 seconds of Ahlmann’s time to secure the victory.