Press release from Royal Windsor Horse Show, edited by World of Showjumping

The CSI5* 1.60m Rolex Grand Prix brought three days of world-class showjumping to a thrilling close in the private grounds of Windsor Castle. A field of 34 horse and rider combinations, including six of the world’s current top 10 ranked riders, came forward to contest the up-to-height 1.60m course, designed by Portugal’s Bernardo Costa Cabral. With its technicality, scale and atmosphere, it provided a fitting finale to the international showjumping programme at the 2026-edition of Royal Windsor Horse Show.

In total, five pairs progressed to the jump-off against the clock, each vying for a share of the €500,000 prize fund. First to return for the jump-off, Victor Bettendorf (LUX) on Qwando van de Rispen (Matisse de Mariposa x Phin Phin) set the standard, producing a clear round in 37.41 seconds. Ben Maher (GBR) with Point Break (Action-Breaker x Balou du Rouet) and Sienna Charles (GBR) on Chawton (Typhoon S x Caletto II) both rose to the occasion, each delivering faultless performances to finish second and third respectively, but neither could catch the Luxembourger’s leading time. Riding Point Break, Maher stopped the clock in 38.26 seconds, while Charles and Chawton completed the podium with a time of 44.03 seconds. Matthew Sampson (GBR) and Un Secreto Z (Ultra Boy x Arko III) finished fourth, followed by Abdullah Alsharbatly (KSA) aboard Diriyah (Baloubet du Rouet x Diamant de Semilly) in fifth.

Speaking after the class, Bettendorf said: “As first to go, I was trying to go quickly in the jump-off but I didn’t have the best stride into the combination, which I thought slowed me down. After my round, I thought ok, I will finish behind Ben and Matthew for sure, but I was lucky they were a bit slower. I’ve been dreaming about this green [Rolex] blanket for a while, so I’m really proud and happy to win one. I’m really grateful.

Reflecting on Royal Windsor Horse Show, he continued: “I love to compete in Great Britain. It’s always a wonderful atmosphere with horse people all around, and you feel really welcome, so every time I love to compete in Great Britain.”

The Rolex Grand Prix made it a double on the day for Bettendorf, who won the CSI5* Manama Rose Show Stakes earlier in the morning, aboard Atchoum de La Roque Z (Armitages Boy x Bentley vd Heffinck). Great Britain’s Jack Whitaker on Skyfall (Diamant de Semilly x Heartbreaker) had held the lead of the 1.50m speed competition for the majority of the class, holding off challenges from some of the best horses and riders in the world, however as the penultimate to go, Bettendorf knocked over a second off Whitaker’s time to take the title. Daniel Coyle (IRL) on Daydream (Phin Phin x Voltaire) completed the top three, followed by Steve Guerdat (SUI) on Hadj de Bliniere (Carpe Diem J F Champblanc x Allegreto) in fourth and Sienna Charles (GBR) aboard Stardust (Chacco-Blue x Con Air) in fifth.

Speaking after the class, Bettendorf said: “Jack had a very good round, but I had an advantage as I had managed to watch his round before I got on, so I knew what I had to do. I wasn’t that confident, as he [Atchoum de La Roque Z] had three down in the big class yesterday, but he felt really good today, so I’m really happy to end the week like this with him.”