Nurturing the Next Generation: Top Riders Support Young Horses in Windsor Defender Stakes
Several upper-level riders used The Defender Challenge Stakes, a competition run over two rounds at a height of 150 at the Royal Windsor Horse Show to give their inexperienced nine-year-old horses a taste at success at the 5* level.
The youngest horses in this event were nine years of age. Interestingly, all four nine-year-olds managed to post a Round One clear, outperforming several older, more experienced horses and combinations. In total 10 horses kept the scoreboard on zero.
Nine-year-olds outshine the competition
Martin Fuchs’ nine-year-old Viper Z posted his first ever 5* win in the Defender Challenge Stakes thanks to an expertly executed Round Two. Because of his young age and limited experience at the higher level, Viper Z entered the competition on an Elo of just 558, but nevertheless managed to beat the powerhouse pair, Daniel Deusser and Kiana van het Herdershof, whose Elo comes in at 707. This result shows lots of potential for this young horse and ensures succession for Martin’s current string of five-star steeds.
Ben Maher also used this class to give one of his nine-year-olds more experience at this level. On Enjeu de Grisien (559), Windsor’s hometown hero posted a beautiful clear round to finish fifth just half a second faster than Max Kühner’s nine-year-old EIC Julius Caesar (577).
With the fastest time in Round Two, but an unfortunate rail knocked, Olivier Perreau’s nine-year-old O. Ziezo DB finished in seventh place at the mare’s first 5* outing.
Top-rated 10-year-olds demonstrate their talent
We also saw some of the highest-rated 10-year-olds in the world compete in this class. Kent Farrington’s Landon, on an Elo of 738 currently the second-highest rated 10-year-old in the world, and Kevin Staut’s Dialou Blue PS (724), the sixth-highest rated, also produced Round One clears, but opted not to compete in the Round Two.
Another great result was posted by William Funnell’s ten-year-old Equine America Billy Marmite (626) who finished fourth.
A promising day for these young stars!