Victoria Mullen, the 2026 Royal Windsor novice hunter judge, brings a wealth of experience to her role, having been passionate about ponies from a very young age. Initially captivated by showjumping, she transitioned into showing after early successes in workers classes and young rider competitions, including back-to-back wins at the Dublin Horse Show. Now primarily focused on eventing, Victoria has also enjoyed significant achievements riding show horses for Richard Iggulden, with victories at prestigious events like Dublin, Balmoral, and the Royal Highland.

In her judging at Royal Windsor, Victoria will be looking for horses that walk into the ring with confidence and natural carriage, ridden in a relaxed and balanced manner. She emphasizes the importance of horses appearing soft and responsive, reflecting both athleticism and enjoyment in their performance. Victoria advises competitors to prepare thoroughly and approach the show with a positive mindset, highlighting that a good ride and presentation can make all the difference in these highly competitive novice hunter classes.