Edited press release from Royal Windsor Horse Show

His Majesty The King joined Their Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh for the third day of Royal Windsor Horse Show 2025, which took place today in the private grounds of Windsor Castle.

The show was bathed in May sunshine on an action-packed day, where the international CSI5* jumping once again delivered world-class sport, with impressive wins from Italy’s Lorenzo de Luca and last year’s Rolex Grand Prix winner, Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs.

In a thrilling first round of the CSI5* 1.55m Kingdom of Bahrain Stakes for The King’s Cup, it took eight combinations before the first clear was posted by none other than world no. 6 Martin Fuchs (SUI) riding his long-time partner Commissar Pezi (Commissario x Böckmann’s Lord Pezi). At the halfway mark, the Swiss star remained the only rider with a clean scorecard, despite several getting agonisingly close. Among them were Jack Whitaker (GBR) on Valmy de La Lande (Mylord Carthago x Starter), who finished fourth, and his uncle John Whitaker (GBR) aboard Sharid (Toulon x Vancouleurs) who eventually placed third. Both left all the fences standing but picked up a single time fault.

The 13-obstacle course proved to be a test of accuracy and scope, and featured multiple technical related distances. Even the most accomplished names in the sport, including triple Olympic gold medallist Ben Maher on Exit Remo (San Remo x Ferro) and the current world number nine Richard Vogel (GER) aboard Levi Noesar (VDL Zirocco Blue x Baloubet du Rouet) couldn’t find a way through to the jump-off.

It was not until the third-last rider, Kim Emmen (NED) entered the arena aboard 10-year-old mare Keavanta-C (Cornet Obolensky x Zambesi TN) that the crowd saw another clear - setting up a jump-off between the Dutch rider and Fuchs.

First to go, Fuchs laid down a typical masterclass in jump-off riding. With a daring sixpence turn back to the Rolex-vertical and a stride out to the final fence, he stopped the clock on an impressive time of 35.19 seconds and left all the poles in place. Emmen followed with a strong effort but picked up four faults, handing Fuchs his second CSI5* victory of the week following yesterday’s win in The Pearl Stakes.

A delighted Fuchs reflected on the performance: “I’m very pleased with this win, Commissar Pezi jumped brilliantly - he is so fast - I took some tight turns and a stride out to the last, which helped put the pressure on and secure the win. Both my horses and I love coming to this show. Every time my horses enter the Castle Arena, they feel very special, and we always have great support from the British crowd, which is why I love coming back every year.”

The opening CSI5* class of the day - The Defender Challenge Stakes set at 1.50m - saw the 10 best placed athletes from the first round go through to a jump-off in reverse order of merit. With four faults in the first round, Ben Maher (GBR) on Maddox vh Haringvliet Z (Monte Bellini x Ogano Sitte) was first into the arena to go against the clock, jumping clear to finish on a total of four. Michael Duffy (IRL) on Balouwinsky (Balous Bellini x Cornet Obolensky) was the first to post a double clear, however it was Laura Kraut (USA) and Dorado 212 (Diarado’s Boy x Chacco-Blue) who really put the pressure on those to follow, taking over three seconds off Duffy’s time, which was eventually good enough for third.

The penultimate rider into the arena, Daniel Deusser (GER) riding Bingo Ste Hermelle (Number One d’Iso x Diamant de Semilly), briefly took over the lead, however it was Lorenzo de Luca (ITA) and Nector vd Bisschop (Echo van’T Spielveld x Darco) who claimed the victory as last to go, knocking another 0.18 seconds off Deusser’s time.

Speaking after the class, the Italian said: “I’m really happy with how he jumped, I know he’s really fast and careful, and being last to go I was able to watch a few, so I tried my best and it all worked out. This win means a lot, it’s such a good show, it’s always an amazing atmosphere and I love coming back year after year. I love the English crowd, thank you so much everyone.”