Hendrix Hits the Right Note at Bolesworth International
Sunday 19 June 2016
Dutch showjumper Michel Hendrix hailed the "biggest win" of his career ater landing the Bolesworth CSI **** International four-star grand prix on Sunday.
And his audience raised a glass to the appropriately-named Baileys after Hendrix guided the 10-year-old gelding to victory by more than three seconds in the jump-off of Bolesworth's headline class, sponsored by Equerry Horse Feeds.
Thirteen combinations went through from round one, including the solitary British clear - defending champiom Yazmin Pinchen - and four managed double clears, but no-one threatened Hendrix's time of 43.88 seconds as he won a top prize of £19,500. Yazmin finished in 4th place making her the highest placed Brit in the competition with Ashkari.
Colombia's Roberto Teran came closest, clocking 47.11 seconds aboard Brilliant du Rouet, while Cheshire-based Paul Kennedy was third on Cartown Danger Mouse, with Pinchen claiming fourth on Ashkari.
"It was an absolutely great win," 29-year-old Hendrix said.
"My horse is jumping really good lately. We were very close a few times in past grands prix, and finally today it happened. That would be our biggest win.
"It was a tough course. When I walked it, I thought it was big enough.
"The triple combination was quite fair, but the last line was very difficult. In the end, I took seven strides to the last double, and he cleared it very well. There were no issues with the rain - the footing is so great here.
"I have had the horse about 18 months and built him up from 1.30-metre classes. He is an unbelievable fighter in the ring, very careful and scopey.
"Baileys has been very consistent here this week. I knew that Laura (Kraut) was to go after me, and she is very fast, so I thought I had better give it a go, and it worked out well."
And Kennedy added: "I am absolutely delighted. The horse is a 10-year-old home-bred. My parents were here today, so it was a special day.
"It is almost a local show for us, with being based only 15 minutes down the road, and once again Nina Barbour and the team here have done an amazing job."
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