Condon clinches the Al Shira’aa 3* Grand Prix victory in a thrilling jump-off at Bolesworth International
Tuesday 01 July 2025
.JPG "Condon clinches the Al Shira’aa 3* Grand Prix victory in a thrilling jump-off at Bolesworth International")
Anthony Condon punched the air in delight as he claimed the 3* Grand Prix, pinnacle of the Al Shira’aa Bolesworth International, with Pat and Lisa Hales Ovieda S – eight years after he won the 4* Grand Prix here with Balzac.
“I’m on top of the world, we bought him as a four-year-old and he’s taken a lot of time but we always believed in him and knew we’d get there in the end, and this is the first class he’s won, and he did it with a Grand Prix,” said Ireland’s Anthony, who is now based locally to this venue.
The formidable 13-fence 1.55m track set by course-designer Javier Trenor (ESP) for the 50 riders forward was tough, a combination of vertical, vertical, oxer and a square oxer two from home on a dog-leg approach from a vertical with water tray causing the most problems. Only four riders jumped clear to rapturous applause from the spectators, with two Brits pitted against two riding for Ireland.
The combination – now a vertical to oxer double – still claimed three victims in the jump-off, penultimate drawn Anthony and Oviedo the only partnership to clear the double – and the rest of the course – to take victory.
Last to go Jodie Hall-McAteer was the only rider to stand between Anthony and victory, and when the front rail of the oxer going out of the double fell, they dropped to third behind Paul Sims in second on Jankorado GB.
“This makes all the patience and time we’ve taken to produce him feel worth it. He’s always jumped clear at this level but lacked the speed – until now. He was a big scopey five-year-old and he was always a big jumper, it just took a while for him to strengthen up and to get here. I’m so grateful to my owners, my wife Laura and our kids – it’s a real team effort," said Anthony, on the 11-year-old Udarco Van Overis x Cash stallion. “Now he’s learning how to be competitive, although a clear was what was needed today. Today was a tough class and it took some riding, but it was a good course.”
Paul was pleased with Jankorado: “He’s improving all the time, and this is a fantastic class to be a part of.”
It was La Gupardie’s first 3* Grand Prix, so Jodie was also thrilled with her horse’s progress: “This was a big ask for her, she wasn’t even supposed to be here in this class, I’m disappointed not to win but I’m excited for the future.”
Graham Babes got his Bolesworth campaign off to a flying start on the opening day with victory in the 3* 1.50m on Monks I Am Casall.
“It was a very strong, competitive Grand Prix qualifier and a great start to our week,” said Graham on the I’m Special De Muze x Casall 11-year-old he purchased as a foal with his family. “He went well here last year, he loves the main ring at Bolesworth and I’m delighted with his performance today. We’ve managed his campaign carefully to ensure he came into this week feeling confident and fresh for Sunday’s Grand Prix.”
A total of 56 riders faced a 13-fence, 16-effort track with 18 finding the key to qualify for the jump-off. Graham, who enjoyed success in Oliva Nova, Spain, in the early Spring, was coming to Bolesworth off the back of a Royal Highland Show 1.45m win with Monks I Am Casall. The on-form pair added another win to their tally, edging ahead to win by 0.34 sec. Ireland’s British-based Jessica Burke jumped Good Star Du Bary into second and Olivia Sponer claimed third on her Royal Windsor Under 25 champion Kockie W.
Graham also headed the Bevan Equestrian Seven-year-old Final with the consistent Nanieta P, winning the six-horse jump-off by 0.32 seconds.
“It’s the best finish we could have hoped for, our superstar winning – another pf our wonderful horses we have started from scratch,” said Graham.
The Lemieux Puissance Wall reached breath-taking heights as riders entertained the spectators at Bolesworth International on day two, with Britain’s 18-year-old Rachel Proudley and Ireland’s Brendan Murphy sharing the honours.
Eleven came forward to face the big red wall, but by round five, only three were left, two Brits pitted against Irishman Brendan – who was aiming to go better than his 2024 second place – and the wall now stood at 2.20m (7ft 3in).
Jack Whitaker was first out, but D&H Q Paravatti N hit the wall. Rachel, the youngest in the class, showed no fear and calmly rode down to this awe-inspiring fence with the Elvis Ter Putte 11-year-old Easy Boy De Laubry Z giving it air to supply the first clear, Rachel punching the air in celebration.
Brendan also rode with precision to clear the big wall on the 12-year-old Erne Riverrun to share the win.
"I'm quite lost for words, it's an amazing feeling, Easy Boy was great today, he was fantastic," said Rachel. "We didn’t really have high expectations, but he got better every round. He’s so brave and you can trust him all the way – it really helps. He's incredible."
James Smith jumped to the top of the Grosvenor Insurance 3* 1.40m speed with Juno Rose 23, the Erdento 11-year-old holding off the challenges of 81 contenders by 1.27 seconds.
Mark Edwards touted a victory double. Fresh from their Hickstead 4* Stoner Jewellers Vase 1.45m win, Mark and the home-bred Tinkers Tale 14-year-old Flying Tinker II continued with their winning vein, claiming the 95-strong 3* 1.40m two-phase by just 0.13 sec.
Mark also guided Royale Tale to the top of the final Madison Jamison Veterinary Physiotherapist 3* 1.35m, the 10-year-old Montreuxs Tale daughter beating 56 rivals by 1.40 seconds, pushing Sammie-Jo Coffin’s day one 3* 1.30m winner Elsalvador Van’t Schaaphof Z into second.
Harriet Hodge and her 2025 HOYS newcomers finalist Lethal Weapon posted the sole 
double clear in a three-way jump-off to take the D&H Under 25 1.40m title.
“He jumped his heart out. He just loves it, which you can see as he's going around. I couldn’t have asked anything more from him," said Harriet, on the Connect x Guidam nine-year-old.
Emily Ward secured the Natural Flake Wood Shavings Six-year-old Final on the rangy 18hh Cavalier HF by just 0.13 seconds in a hot 25-horse decider.
“He’s a big boy and lovely easy-going boy day-to-day, but in the ring, there’s another side to him. He’s got a lot of blood from his Mum, and being big he needs the blood,” said Emily, who, alongside her father Nick, bred the Diamant De Semilly gelding out of Remi Cavalleri, a mare she used to compete.
“We sold him as a foal in the Bolesworth Auction to Ian and Ruth Dowie of Runningwell Sport Horses and they started him off, but I got the ride back a year ago and we’re all enjoying producing him.”
Chris Smith captured the Dallamires Stables Five-year-old Final from the front with the impressive Chickatina JL Z (Colorit Z x Grandorado TN) in a 13-horse decider. Pippa Goddard was the nearest rival with Convio PS (Conthargos x Vivant) 0.18 seconds adrift.
Laura Renwick lived up to her ‘Queen of Speed’ reputation with a victory double with two home-bred horses.
Laura emerged triumphant in the 27-entry Madison Jamison Veterinary Physiotherapist 3* 1.35m speed with a flying round on the 11-year-old Cottee (Asterix E Z x Couleur Rubin) to win by 0.34 seconds. Jordan Thompson steered Imperium RJ into second place.
It was tight in the Seven-year-old 1.30m two-phase, but Laura edged ahead by only 0.20 seconds on NFS Top Gun (Top Dollar x Couleur Rubin) to push Pippa Goddard into second on the Cornet Obleonsky daughter PDV Constanza. Graham Babes eased Nanieta P into third.
Marnie Green scored a double with her consistent Ice Cold Z, recording a 1.27 second win in the first 67-strong 1* 1.25m two-phase. They claimed their second win 24 hours later in the 1* 1.30m two-phase, the Iceman De Muze 12-year-old beating 46 rivals by 1.85 seconds.
Grace Wallace scored handsomely in the Amateur 1.05 classes, winning all three. She dominated Saturday’s speed class with the top two places, winning on the 16-year-old Eau Claire V and easing Ilena VD Bisschop into second, more than two sec separating the two. Abigail Wicks finished third on this occasion on Kybalia and was a rival 24 hours later.
An early leader in the 14-horse decider, Abigail was beaten by sister Sophie on Solitaire, but the siblings had to settle for second and third when Grace swept to victory in the final draw with a gasp-inducing round aboard the 17-year-old Ilena (Erco Van’t Roosakker x Lys De Darmen) with 0.93 seconds in hand.
Grace proved unbeatable in the 35-strong Amateur 1.05m Final over a two-phase track, taking out strides throughout on Eau Claire V to land the hat-trick. Isabelle James Wright, 14, chased hard on the 25-year-old Calle to take second 0.37 seconds in arrears.
"I've been coming to this show with her for the last few years and she absolutely loves it here. She just lights up in the big ring. Taking the win again today is incredible – she's an older mare that is still on top form and loving the job, and that means the world to me."
Sisters Madison and Bobbie Heath claimed a win apiece. Madison fought off 49 rivals in the 1* 1.30m two-phase on the 12-year-old mare Ivory (Don VHP Z x Cartogran) with 0.45 seconds to spare. Bobbie hit top speed in the Amateur 1.15m Final on the 13-year-old Bouncer, outpacing their 49 rivals by 0.18 sec in a competitive two-phase class.
Image: 1st Class Images / Bolesworth International / Susanne Jones
