Holly Smith Wins Another Events Through A Lens Talent Seeker Qualifier at Coombelands Equestrian
Thursday 29 May 2025
This week saw Coombelands Equestrian host the third Events Through a Lens Talent Seeker Qualifier of the 2025 season. A field of 79 horse and rider combinations entered the competition, hoping to secure their place at the Horse of the Year Show Final in October.
Course Designer Ben Townley’s 1.30m first round track proved to be challenging as faults came all throughout the course. However, 15 combinations showed that it could be done and advanced to the jump-off. Proving to be once again unbeatable, Holly Smith raced to victory, this time riding T J Hall Ltd’s Sing Z – who also finished as the highest placed seven-year-old.
"It was an early start. We left at 3.30am to get to the showground but I had a couple of nice horses for the class. We had an early draw which was not ideal but I went as quick as I felt he was ready for and he thrived.
"It was a testing, technical track, as Ben's [Townley] courses usually are and there were poles falling everywhere but there was a really good use of materials in the fences. There were lots of seven-year-olds jumping clear which is nice to see and shows the quality of the field. It was a very educational few rounds and great that we were able to finish on top.
"He won the Grade C qualifier at Hertfordshire County Show earlier in the week so I know he was on form, and he's still elligible for Foxhunter so we will be aiming at some Second Rounds too. He's owned by T J Hall Ltd who are long term supporters of mine, and was ridden by Tabitha Kyle last year. I took on the ride earlier in the year so I'm still getting to know him but he is a really nice horse," added Holly.
Pippa Goddard also had her eye on the clock but couldn’t quite catch the winning pair, finishing 1.17 seconds behind Holly with Thomas Williams’ eight-year-old Chanaga PS. Katie Speller rode Team Z7’s seven-year-old Z7 Pink Panther into third place, just 0.12 seconds further off the pace whilst Bethanie Knight picked up the fourth qualifying spot with Kerry Grimster’s eight-year-old Dalgary JL Z, another 0.28 seconds in arrears.
Coombelands Equestrian - Wednesday, 28 May 2025
Events Through A Lens Talent Seeker Incorporating the 7-Year-Old Championship Qualifier
1st – Holly Smith & Sing Z – 0/0 36.77 seconds (Highest placed seven-year-old)
2nd – Pippa Goddard & Chanaga PS – 0/0 37.94 seconds
3rd – Katie Speller & Z7 Pink Panther – 0/0 38.06 seconds
4th – Bethanie Knight & Dalgary JL Z – 0/0 38.34 seconds
NB: Results pending official grading.
Image: LRG Photography
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