Statement regarding classification at Royal Windsor Horse Show 2020

Monday 22 July 2019

Statement from The British Equestrian Federation with regard to the Jumping Classification at Royal Windsor Horse Show 2020

Due to an administrative error at the British Equestrian Federation (BEF), the 5* application in respect of Royal Windsor Horse Show 2020 was missed being submitted to the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) before its September 2018 5* calendar deadline.

When the BEF identified the error it made a late submission to the FEI for 5* consideration.; However, it is with enormous regret that we announce this was rejected by the two show organisers, who are also running top-level shows on the same date (La Baule and Madrid)

As a result, a further submission was put forward with both a 3* and 4* classification being approved for Royal Windsor Horse Show between 13- 17 May 2020.  Future dates have also been submitted for 5* consideration between 2021-2026.

The BEF is deeply sorry for its error and has put new processes in place to ensure it will not happen again. 

The BEF has been in discussions with Show Director of Royal Windsor Horse Show, Simon Brooks-Ward, since the issue came to light, and the entire BEF Board offers its extreme regret and apologies for its error, which it is well aware will have a significant impact on both Royal Windsor Horse Show and the sport as a whole. 

The BEF Board would also like to publicly acknowledge and thank Simon Brooks-Ward for his professionalism and pragmatic approach to finding the best solution going forward.


Recent Media News
Call for increased vigilance as number of reported equine influenza outbreaks in UK continues to rise Call for increased vigilance as number of reported equine influenza outbreaks in UK continues to rise
13/05/2026
Annabelle Calvert from Northumberland is the latest British Showjumping Shining Star Annabelle Calvert from Northumberland is the latest British Showjumping Shining Star
30/04/2026
Robert Whitaker pulls out all the stops to land the four-star Montefalco Grand Prix with Vermento Robert Whitaker pulls out all the stops to land the four-star Montefalco Grand Prix with Vermento
27/04/2026
British Showjumping’s Youth Teams announced for Nations Cup in Busto Arsizio, Italy British Showjumping’s Youth Teams announced for Nations Cup in Busto Arsizio, Italy
24/04/2026
Will Fletcher is crowned the Welsh Master of 2026 in a three-way Grand Prix jump-off Will Fletcher is crowned the Welsh Master of 2026 in a three-way Grand Prix jump-off
22/04/2026
view news archive »