Holly Smith dominates in the first Events Through A Lens Talent Seeker Qualifier of 2025 at Chard Equestrian Centre
Monday 12 May 2025
.jpg "Holly Smith dominates in the first Events Through A Lens Talent Seeker Qualifier of 2025 at Chard Equestrian Centre")
At the weekend, Chard Equestrian Centre hosted the first Events Through A Lens Talent Seeker, incorporating the Seven-Year-Old Championship Qualifier of 2025. This British Showjumping series brings together top talent from Grades B & C, alongside promising seven-year-olds, all vying for a coveted spot in the final at the Horse of the Year Show in October.
It was a packed field with 77 horse and rider combinations competing in the initial round, which was cleared by an impressive 17 who advanced to the jump-off. Holly Smith was first out into the jump-off with Hampshire Sport Horses’ nine-year-old gelding Seaview Evolution, and set off at a deceptively quick pace covering the ground in the vast Arena. Galloping to the last, the pair crossed the finish in an uncatchable time to take the win and secure their place at the Horse of the Year Show.
Last to go with her other mount, her own and TJ Hall Ltd’s Nike Van Het Singraven, Holly eased the gelding into third place, 2.66 seconds off her winning time and finishing as the highest placed seven-year-old.
Sandwiched between her two mounts was Hollie Pearce, riding her own 11-year-old James O Hara H, who utilised her third from last position to chase down the 2021 Olympic rider and finished just 0.12 seconds off top spot. Emily Rodney picked up the fourth qualifying place with her own 13-year-old gelding, Hangover SA, just 0.23 seconds in arrears.
“I thought the course designer did a great job,” said a delighted Holly. “It was just challenging enough that there were enough clears in the first round, but you didn’t have to go crazy in the jump-off.
“My draw wasn’t favourable, and it’s quite unusual to win from the front in these classes, but I think I timed it nicely to get the others who followed to make mistakes, and it gave me a bit of a cushion to follow on Nike.
Talking about her winning mount, Holly commented “I’ve only had him two weeks. This is our second show, but I think we’ve been quick to build a relationship, and I am looking forward to seeing what he is capable of.
“Nike is also an exceptional horse and an exceptional jumper; he was fourth in the Foxhunter Final last year as a six-year-old, and I really think he is a future championship horse in the making,” added Holly.
Chard Equestrian Centre - Friday, 9 May 2025
Events Through A Lens Talent Seeker Incorporating the 7 Year Old Championship Qualifier
1st – Holly Smith & Seaview Evolution – 0/0 39.74 seconds
2nd – Hollie Pearce & James O Hara H – 0/0 39.86 seconds
3rd - Holly Smith & Nike Van Het Singraven – 0/0 42.04 seconds
4th - Emily Rodney & Hangover SA - 0/0 42.27 seconds
Top seven-year-old placing: Holly Smith & Nike Van Het Singraven
NB: Results pending official grading.
Image: ESP Photographic
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