A local rider took the 2026 Royal Windsor Arab ridden championship on the show’s final morning (17 May).
Jade Bermingham had ridden Noor Al Noufous for two years for her previous owner, before stepping in to purchase the mare, alongside her mother and her mother-in-law, when she came up for sale.
The pair impressed the judges to beat stallions and geldings in the championship.
Jade, who lives just five minutes away from the castle, said: “She’s a bit of a family pony, really.
“She lives with my mother in law and hacks out – all nice and relaxed. I just pinch her and take her to the odd show.
“We bought her in October. She’s the sweetest, sweetest horse.”
This was Jade’s first show on the mare since owning her.
“Honestly, she’s so easy,” Jade said. “For my first show with her, it’s nice to win. We love her.”
Noufous has previously campaigned the Horse of the Year Show circuit and was fourth there in 2024 with Jade.
The buzzy Windsor atmosphere did not get to the 11-year-old, who is by Muhaned Al Rayyan.
“She’s so laid back it’s ridiculous,” she added. “She can be really sassy, but never nasty. She’s always so sweet and well mannered. She’s Mrs Reliable!”
Reserve went to Will Morton riding LVA Winter’s Rascal, a 13-year-old gelding sired by LVA Maximus who is owned by Susan Rose.
It has been a stellar show for Will, who started off by winning the maxi cobs and cob championship on Monarch In The Mist before he took the small hunter class on board Red Valentine II.
2026 Royal Windsor Arab In-hand tricolour and reserve headed home with the first and second placed part-breds. In top here was Tina Carswell’s HA Globemaster, a 10-year-old by Aj Sanchez, and Lisa Hayyez’ Brideswood Price Regent nine-year-old Ryehall Petit Ami occupied the bridesmaid spot.
2026 Royal Windsor part-bred Arab ridden champions
After standing reserve in the novice show pony championship with Florrie Duncalf, Tandridge State Affair (Bella), went on to claim the 2026 Royal Windsor part-bred Arab under saddle spoils, with Mia Whittaker at the helm after the pair won the class for ponies under 148cm.
The seven-year-old is owned by her breeder Joanna Adams and was ridden by Florrie and Mia on behalf of her producer Harrison Taylor.
This was Mia’s first spin in the ring aboard the Tandridge Democrat mare.
“We were not expecting it all,” said Mia. “But Harrison just does an amazing job of them.
“She’s such a good girl for how much she’s done and she seemed to like the atmosphere in there. I’m really pleased with how she went.”
At home, Mia says Bella has a “really lovely personality”.
“She can sometimes be a bit lazy,” she added, “but she seemed to like the occasion here, so she rose to it.”
In reserve was Lilly Ahern aboard her grandfather Paddy Ahern’s second placed Roseberry Picture Perfect, an eight-year-old gelding by Rotherwood Spring Storm.
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