International Flavour Arrives at Bolesworth
Saturday 16 June 2018
There was a true international flavour at Bolesworth on Saturday as United Arab Emirates rider Hamed Ali Al Kirbi took his place on this year's roll of honour.
An impressive display on Uxmal d'Ysieux saw him land the two-star 1.40-metre jump-off class, sponsored by Hunters Gin.
A time of 38.63 seconds won the day from Ireland's Matt Garrigan and Cantino 56, with Sienna Charles - daughter of London 2012 Great Britain showjumping team gold medallist Peter Charles - taking third, ahead of Paul Barker and Dalton W.
British riders enjoyed a clean sweep of podium places in the amateur B two-phase class, sponsored by Horse and Country TV.
Bobbie Heath and Floretta proved to be the only combination that broke 30 seconds in the jump-off phase, posting a time of 29.59 seconds to edge out Megan Broadway and Capello II, with Julie Slade and Billy Gogo taking third.
Saturday's Bolesworth action opened with the 128cms grand prix, sponsored by Pony of the Year Show, and it produced a win for Poppy Deakin with Munsboro Plunkett in a jump-off time of 33.06 seconds.
It proved five seconds quicker than the rest of the field, as runner-up Noora von Bulow closked 38.18 seconds on Sparkel, whole Izabella Rogers and Whitney Lass took third.
Over in the Castle Arena, an exciting 148cms Pony Championship, sponsored by RAF Recruitment, saw victory go to Eleanor Hall-Mcateer and the vastly experienced Tixylix.
The pony, previously ridden with great success by Jessica Mendoza and Eleanor's older sister Jodie, showed its star quality as the combination's jump-off time of 39.01 seconds denied Scottish challenger Shaunie Greig a second win of the week following her success in Friday's pony grand prix.
Shaunie, on Casino Royale V111, had to be content with second place this time round, with Hannah Barker and Ammanvalley Santino taking third.
