Graham Gillespie lands a world ranking win with Veneno at Bolesworth International
Saturday 17 June 2023
Graham Gillespie is quickly establishing a firm partnership with Veneno and secured victory in Friday’s feature Dodson & Horrell 1.50m at Bolesworth International.
"He won the [£3,000] grand prix at Addington [in Buckinghamshire] last week so he's on fantastic form," said Graham.
The recently new partnership – winner of Chepstow’s 2* grand prix six weeks ago – were one of 64 hopefuls in this world ranking grand prix qualifier and took their place in the 11-horse decider after successfully negotiating Spanish course-designer Javier Trenor’s 13-fence track.
It was tight, Graham and the Chacco-Blue/Baloubet du Rouet 15-year-old edging ahead by only 0.17 seconds to secure the win over British-based Australian Chris Burton and Chedington Hazy Toulana in second.
"I won it coming round to the double. It was just a matter of getting a good canter, keeping the momentum and keeping it as smooth as possible," said Graham. "He's naturally quick so I just opened him up and kept him in that cog."
Mark Edwards’ incredible form continued as he annihilated all opposition in the Le Mieux 3* 1.40m speed with a flying round on Royale Tale. With twists and turns everywhere on the 12-fence track, it was who dared the tightest. Mark was right up there, taking all the risks on the 8-year-old Montreuxs Tale daughter to secure victory with an impressive 2.95 seconds advantage over longtime leader Richard Howley for Ireland on Farianne.
Jay Halim (rider) teamed up with Neil Crowden (driver) representing Lexus to take the highly entertaining Lexus Chester 3* Ride and Drive as they were pitted against 14 other teams. They claimed 1.21 seconds to spare over team Lila Bremner and Daniel McAlinden. Father/daughter team Madison and Graham Heath (eVet) claimed third.
After taking second in the Eventing Grand Prix, Gemma Stevens quickly switched to pure showjumping and topped the Natural Flake Wood Shavings 7-year-old 1.30m on Cinsey Blue PS. Fifty-two contended this speed class but Gemma outpaced them all, guiding the Cinsey x Chacco-Blue mare with 0.85 seconds to spare over known speedsters Tom Whitaker with Colliers Carlotta and Nicole Lockhead Anderson on her day one winner Conthargo PS.
Gemma and her Eventing Grand Prix partner Santiago Bay again had to settle for second in the AC Jackson 1* 1.25m as Ireland’s Holly Sweetnam galloped One and Only Spartacus into a 0.72 second victory in the 19-horse decider.
Olivia Banks claimed victory in the 1* 1.35m two-phase on the Bodinus x Corland 12-year-old Geodina HS, besting their 43 rivals by 0.79 seconds. Marnie Green guided Ice Cold Z into second with Phillip Spivey in third aboard NBE Jenny Don’t Be Hasty and Rachel Proudley fourth riding C Rouet Du Darco Z.
Image courtesy Bolesworth International
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