Olivia Sponer is Crowned the Defender U25 Champion at Royal Windsor Horse SHow
Monday 19 May 2025
The final day of Royal Windsor Horse Show also celebrated the rising stars of British equestrianism. Thirty of the world’s most exciting up-and-coming Show Jumpers took to the Castle Arena early this morning for The Defender Under 25 Jumping Competition, where all clear rounds from the opening phase earned a place in the jump-off.
The challenging twelve-obstacle course proved no walk in the park, with faults scattered throughout the field, however 13 combinations produced stylish clears to advance to the second round.
Riders returned for the jump-off in the same order as the first round, with Glain Watkin Jones setting the bar early. The 22-year-old made effortless work of sixpence turns and laid down a time that applied pressure to the rest of the field.
Seven riders ultimately managed to produce double clears, but it was only Olivia Sponer aboard Kookie W who were able to beat Watkin Jones’ time. Third-last to go, Sponer shaved milliseconds off the clock to take the lead by 0.30 seconds and secure the fastest time of the day. Isabella Armstrong rounded out the podium in third place with nine-year-old gelding, Gold Star IV.
Speaking after her win, Sponer said: "It didn’t go completely to plan, but she [Kookie W] jumped amazingly. Kookie W is only 10-years-old, but we are stepping her up this year, and it is really special to be able to bring her here and compete in this class with the brilliant atmosphere. I am really happy with how she jumped.”
Earlier in the day, The CSI5* Manama Rose Show Stakes took place in the iconic Castle Arena. As a single-phase class, it was a true test of speed and agility for the 25 riders who faced the 1.50m, 12-combination course.
First into the arena was Shane Breen riding BP Arctic Blue, who set the standard for those who followed, producing a stylish but steady clear in a time of 61.47 seconds. This was quickly usurped by Richard Vogel of Germany, who shaved a second off Breen’s time. Winner of The CSI5* Defender Challenge Stakes earlier this week, Lorenzo de Luca, once again proved to be a master of speed with a quicker time of 59.22 seconds. However, Victor Bettendorf, riding the talented 11-year-old mare Encore Toi du Linon delivered a smooth and well calculated round to finish in 58.08 seconds - a time that could not be matched by the remaining riders. Great Britian's Robert Whitaker, with Gentlemen vh Veldhof, took home third place in 59.39 seconds, with cousin Jack Whitaker slotting into fourth with Valmy De La Lande, just 0.31 seconds behind them.
Image credit: Royal Windsor Horse Show
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