James Smith Dominates in the Penultimate Winter Grand Prix at Aintree Winter Classic Show
Wednesday 28 January 2026
 c. Majestic Photography.jpg "James Smith Dominates in the Penultimate Winter Grand Prix at Aintree Winter Classic Show")
The penultimate Winter Grand Prix, held at the Aintree International Equestrian Centre’s Winter Classic Show, delivered top-class sport, with an exciting jump-off featuring riders spanning generations and experience levels.
Course designer Rafael Suárez set a testing 13-fence 1.40m track, which saw 43 starters take on the challenge. Six combinations progressed to the jump-off, with four producing double-clear performances to decide the final placings.
The jump-off line-up showcased the depth of British Showjumping talent, ranging from Olympian John Whitaker to 14-year-old Honey Bowes, winner of the U25 class earlier in the week. Second to go, Joe Trunkfield, winner of the Arena UK Grand Prix in December, set an early standard aboard Corvette VH Reukenis Z, owned by Mr Srikumar Balasubramaniyam, posting a fast clear round that put pressure on the remaining combinations.
However, James Smith, fresh from a recent Grand Prix victory at Kelsall Hill, rose to the challenge with Leona Smith’s Astrade Z, producing an even quicker clear to take over the lead. Smith returned to the arena later in the jump-off with his own and Jim Wilmer’s 14-year-old Tayvale Hunky Dory as the final combination to go and delivered a bold, decisive round, shaving almost half a second off his own leading time to secure the win.
Following on from this impressive result, James said: “It was a good course that Raf [Suarez] built, not huge but tricky enough that you had to think about it and there was a good number in the jump off.
“Both of mine jumped really well and we came away with a pretty good result. I was third to go with Astrade, Honey [Bowes] went first and was quick then Joe [Trunkfield] went and he was slightly quicker again. But Astrade took every turn well on a forward distance to just slip ahead again. She’s just stepping up to this level and won at Kelsall Hill so I think she’ll be a really nice one for the future.”
“I was last to go with Hunky Dory, and I had nothing to lose really. We stuck to pretty much the same lines but took one less stride to the last fence which is where I think we won it. I’m really pleased for him to win this; he’s been knocking on the door of a big result for a while now.”
New this year, the Winter Grand Prix League introduces an exciting new competition format to the British Showjumping calendar. Running at the Winter Classics Series, the league offers riders and spectators an action-packed circuit culminating in a high-stakes final at the British Showjumping Winter Championships (formerly British Showjumping Spring Championships). Leading the way with two shows to go is Alex Barr and Preben Van De Doornakkers (36 points), with Joe Trunkfield & Corvette VH Reukenis Z rising to second place (29 points), followed by Emily Ward & Wild Star HF and James Smith & Astrade Z in joint third (21 points). To find out more about the league, visit: https://www.britishshowjumping.co.uk/rankings/lists/winter-grand-prix
Winter Grand Prix
Aintree International Equestrian Centre
1st – James Smith & Tayvale Hunky Dory – 0/0 32.65
2nd – James Smith & Astrade Z – 0/0 33.08
3rd – Joe Trunkfield & Corvette VH Reukenis Z - 0/0 33.55
NB Results pending final grading
Image: Majestic Photography
