AN exhibition of equestrian excellence is being lined up to mark the 70th anniversary of the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

From the thundering hooves of The King’s Troop to top showjumpers and carriage drivers, this year’s event promises to be an extra special celebration, attracting thousands of spectators and competitors.

And you could be among the thousands of people enjoying the show, which runs from Wednesday to Sunday, May 8 to 12, as the Herald has ten family tickets, each worth £49, to give away in this week’s contest.

The show is the only event held in the private grounds of the Queen’s residence Windsor Castle. Started in 1943 by Count Robert Orssich and Mr Geoffrey Cross to raise money for the war effort, the show has run every year since with the exception of 2001 when an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease prevented it taking place.

The first show was attended by all the Royal Family including the then Princess Elizabeth and The Queen has attended the event every year since.

One of the highlights of the show will be The Musical Drive of The King’s Troop with its teams of 68 horses pulling six one-and-a-half ton First World War guns in complex movements at a pace, including the famous criss-cross manoeuvre.

And, staying on the military theme, The Household Cavalry will also be performing their musical ride at the show, treating the Windsor audience to a display of speed and precision from its 26 horses and riders.

The show’s packed programme annually attracts over 3,000 entries and 45,000 visitors.

On top of the 170 jumping and showing classes, there is also The Land Rover International Carriage Driving Grand Prix, one of the leading events in the European Driving Calendar.

And there’s room for plenty of fun as well with the pony and junior rider competitions, such as The Shetland Pony Grand National and the DAKS Pony Club Mounted Games, and grass roots jumping including over 15 classes run by The British Horse Society.

Soldiers will be showing their competitive spirit in traditional military competitions including The Best Turned Out Trooper and military tent pegging.

Event director Simon Brooks-Ward said: “We are immensely looking forward to celebrating the 70th anniversary of Royal Windsor Horse Show.

“It is going to be a very special year for the show this year and I am convinced that the programme we are delivering will create special memories for our equestrian audience.”

For your chance to win one of our ten family tickets for the show, simply send your name, address and telephone number (preferably a mobile phone number) in an email to: Heraldcompetitions@nqo.com or send your details on a postcard or reverse of a sealed envelope to: Royal Windsor Horse Show Competition, Herald Series, Promotions Department, Newsquest Oxfordshire, Osney Mead, Oxford, OX2 0EJ, by the competition’s closing date of Wednesday, April 24.

If you are not lucky enough to be one of our winners, you can purchase tickets visit the show’s website on www.rwhs.co.uk or call the box office on 08445 814960. Tickets start at £8 for a child and organisers are aiming to keep them at an affordable level with family tickets being only £49 for a family of five at the weekend.