Seven of the top ten rated riders in the world will participate at CHI Royal Windsor Horse Show 2022

Seven of the top ten rated riders in the world will participate in the CSI5* Show Jumping at CHI Royal Windsor Horse Show 2022, which will take place from 12-15 May. World-class Show Jumping will return to the secluded grounds of Windsor Castle this weekend, culminating in the coveted Rolex Grand Prix on Sunday.

Ben Maher, the 2021 Rolex Grand Prix winner, will lead the charge, having won individual gold on his amazing chestnut horse, Explosion W, at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. In front of his home audience, the current World No. 4 will try to recapture the crown.

Peder Fredricson, the world No. 1 who finished second behind Maher in the solo event in Tokyo, will be trying to change that in Windsor. The Swede, who also won a team gold medal in Tokyo, will compete in the individual event.

Henrik von Eckermann, a member of his Olympic squad, will also be present at the show. Von Eckermann, the current World No. 2, will arrive in Windsor full of confidence after a spate of international 5* triumphs, including one last weekend in St Tropez, and will be trying to reclaim the championship he won in 2019.

Martin Fuchs of Switzerland, who just won the FEI World CupTM Final in Leipzig, is another rider who will arrive in Windsor in good condition. The World No. 3 will be looking to improve on his third-place result in the Rolex Grand Prix in 2021, which he achieved behind compatriot Steve Guerdat, who will also be racing in Windsor.

Daniel Deusser, the world No. 7, leads a strong German contingent that includes David Will and Christian Ahlmann. Deusser, who has already won a Rolex Grand Prix in 2022 after winning The Dutch Masters in March, understands what it takes to win at the historic Castle Arena overlooking Windsor Castle, as he has done before.

Kent Farrington of the United States returns to Windsor to defend the coveted title he earned in 2017. Max Kühner of Austria, Kevin Staut of France, and Denis Lynch of Ireland, who have all showed remarkable form so far in 2022, will be formidable competitors.

Scott Brash, a British Olympic gold medalist, has had a terrific spring season, winning multiple 5* events, and will no doubt be encouraged by the enthusiasm of his home fans in Windsor. John Whitaker, who is still at the top of his game at the age of 66, will also be representing Great Britain. Guy Williams and William Funnell, as well as Holly Smith, a multiple winner at the 2021 Show, return.

THE NEW BRITISH GUARD

As the next generation of Show Jumpers attempt to put the strain on their more senior rivals, the Show in 2022 will welcome some of Britain's most promising young riders.

Harry Charles is leading the movement of fresh homegrown talent. The 23-year-old is one of Great Britain's most brilliant young show jumpers, having participated at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games last year and presently ranking U25 World No. 1. He won both the FEI World CupTM Qualifier and the Grand Prix at The London International Horse Show in December 2021, and he'll be hoping to keep his winning streak going at the CHI Royal Windsor Horse Show.

Charles will be joined by long-time opponent and personal friend Jack Whitaker. Whitaker received an individual silver medal at the FEI Youth European Championships in Vilamoura, Portugal, in 2021, and also competed partnered Charles in the CSIO5* Longines Nations Cup Final in Barcelona, where the team won the Challenge Cup. Both will be hoping to repeat their dads' [Peter Charles and Michael Whitaker] achievements at the Show.

The outstanding duo most recently participated in the FEI World CupTM Final, where they placed 4th and 5th, respectively. Emily Moffit, a CSIO5* Longines Nations CupTM Final competitor, will also be part of the strong British contingent. The 24-year-old has climbed through the ranks and has had a long and successful career. She was the best British rider at the FEI European Championships in Riesenbeck last year, and she was also included to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games shortlist. Joe Stockdale, who won the U25 division at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2019, will bring three of his best horses, including Equine America Cacharael, with whom he competed at the FEI European Championships last summer. Lily Attwood, 20, completes the strong contingent of young British cyclists. Attwood has had a fantastic young rider career, earning a team bronze medal at the FEI Young Riders Championships in Vilamoura in 2021.