For any military competitor the Royal Windsor Horse Show is a very prestigious event as it is a chance to ride in front of Her Majesty The Queen. The Show is held in the Great Windsor Park with the Castle as a backdrop. Every year approximately 30 teams battle it out for the Challenge Cup which is presented by Her Majesty The Queen.

This year was no exception. Even with rain forecast, 33 teams made it forward. Once again the RAF fielded 3 teams, all with a good chance of doing well. Everyone turned up on the Friday to get the horses settled as it was a very early start on the Saturday.

The format of the competition is the same every year. Each team consists of three members who all jump one round gaining penalties for each mistake made. The first rider from each team competes followed by the second and finally the third. The twelve teams with the lowest number of penalties go forward to the second round, where one rider is chosen to complete a round against the clock in front of The Queen. Penalties are again awarded for any mistakes made and the team with the lowest, total penalties from the two rounds is crowned the winner.

Before the second round is commenced, a parade of all teams in full uniform is performed in front of the Queen. This is a great honour for all the competitors chosen to compete at this prestigious event.

The first round started at 0700 and brought grey clouds and lots of drizzle however as the round went on the sun began to shine which slowly brought the crowds out.

The first rider to jump for the RAF was a new rider to the team, Flt Lt Caitlin Wroe from RAF Henlow. Bob Ellis, International Course Builder, had set a very tight time this year and luckily we managed to figure this out before our team members jumped. Everyone had gotten time penalties up to our first rider so all eyes were on Cailtlin. She rose to the challenge however even though managing to get inside the time she had two fences down gaining 8 penalties for the first team. Flt Lt Jules Fleming was the second rider in this team and managed to produce a superb clear round inside the time leaving it all to Wg Cdr Jane Austin, the Chef D’Equip. Once again two fences were knocked leaving the team on an overall score of 16 penalties.

For the second team Cpl Kelly Kyte was the first to go and had a fantastic round only lowering one pole giving them a score of 4 penalties. Cpl Paula Golder was next to go and produced a good solid clear for the team. This left SAC Mel Stoner a tough task as there were only two other teams on 4 faults. Sadly they had one fence leaving them on a total of 8 faults, equal 3rd with 3 other teams after the 1st round.

For the third team Wg Cdr Dawn Elson was the 1st to go on a new ride, Alligator. After a few bucks and swings with his legs he managed to get round just rolling two poles. Flt Lt Carrie Moore followed just dropping one pole leaving Cpl Becky Downes with a tough task to get a clear to see them going through to the 2nd round. Unfortunately 5 fences down took them out of the running however spirits wre up as certainly two teams were through with one being in touch for the prize.

Flt Lt Fleming and Cpl Golder were nominated to represent their teams in the jump off in front of The Queen. After the National Anthem announced the arrival of teh Queen each team paraded around the main arena. It was then quick into action for the jump off riders to walk the course and then jump. The riders go in reverse order of merit. Flt Lt Fleming was the first RAF rider in and managed to perform a good round only lowering the very last fence. This saw the A team finishing in 9th. It was then up to Cpl Golder to fly the flag for the B team. They went into the jump off in joint 3rd however one fence down for Paula saw the team fall to 6th. Despite this every member of all 3 teams found it a real honour to parade on their horses and represent the RAF.