Laura Renwick took her first major step ‘Back to the top’ with a spectacular win in the Al Shira’aa Grand Prix at Bolesworth International
Monday 07 July 2025
.JPG "Laura Renwick took her first major step ‘Back to the top’ with a spectacular win in the Al Shira’aa Grand Prix at Bolesworth International")
Laura Renwick, who confessed she wanted to “Get back to the top,” after a fall landed her in hospital three years ago, has taken a huge step towards her goal with victory in the Al Shira’aa 4* Grand Prix at Bolesworth International with eight-year-old sensation Marseille.
“I know how talented he is, he has unbelievable scope, a huge stride and covers the ground, but this was a big ask and he gave me 110% - the future is looking bright,” said Laura, the first lady rider to win the top-billed Grand Prix since Yazmin Pinchen in 2015.
Course-designer Raf Suarez set a technical challenge over a 14-fence, 17-jumping effort track for the 43 riders which tested every inch of the way, including a restrictive time allowed, and the first few riders failed to bring home a clear. An eventual 10 mastered all the questions for a truly international field – Sweden, Belgium, UAE, Ireland and The USA pitted against the Brits – to advance to an exhilarating, crowd-pleasing jump-off which even had those who failed to make the top 10 shouting encouragement.
The USA’s Skylar Wireman was the first to jump double clear on Tornado, but her time was soon cut down by Ireland’s Jessica Burke with Good Star Du Bary, and she stayed on top – until Laura entered the ring.
Setting off at a fair hunting pace, Laura mastered a tight angled turn to a vertical and galloped to the oxers, executed another breath-taking turn into the tall double of verticals adjacent to hospitality and flew to the final Al Shira’aa oxer, making use of Marseille’s incredible reach to take out strides.
David Simpson chased hard accompanied by verbal encouragement from fellow riders in the ‘kiss n cry’, but a steadied hesitation to the final oxer cost him dear, and Pjotr Van De Kruishoeve finished 0.08 seconds in arrears for second.
“When Laura’s in the lead, you know you have something to beat,” he said philosophically, but Laura had a different view.
“If I’d have gone again, I don’t think I’d have ridden that round; he slipped on the corner and I couldn’t see a stride to an oxer and got in deep, but it worked out,” she said.
The Toulon x Tangelo gelding, owned jointly by Laura, her husband John and Neil Fiddes, recorded his first international win in the spectacular main arena with castle backdrop has the attributes to make a top-class horse.
“He’s still inexperienced at this level but in the last couple of months, he’s really started to learn to contain himself, prop, shorten and importantly, focus, and he feels like he’s always on side,” added Laura. “He has a huge amount of scope, I don’t think there’s a fence he can’t jump, and he’s gained several months of experience in two weeks competing here, but we’ll manage him carefully this year.”
The on-form Laura didn’t rest on her laurels, and she was as competitive as ever on the final day, securing a victory double.
“I have had incredible week – there's no other word for it – you know, all the horses have done their bit, it's just fabulous,” she said.
The home-bred NFS Top Gun (Top Dollar VI x Couleur Rubin) showed his form earlier in the week with a Seven-year-old win and went on to take the Helgstrand Fine Jewellery Seven-year-old 1.35m Final for Laura. The 40 starters were reduced to 10 for the jump-off, Laura forging ahead to win by 2.78 seconds.
Referring to NFS Top Gun as “her baby,” Laura praised his maturity and brilliant attitude, saying he jumps like “he’s done it all before with an exciting future ahead.”
It was similar story for the 11-year-old Cottee (Asterix E Z x Couleur Rubin), another home-bred, winning an earlier 4* 1.30m speed before taking the Rower & Rub 4* 1.35m two-phase, Laura outpacing her 34 rivals by 1.10 seconds and pushing Emily Ward’s Millfield Lottery into second.
Joe Whitaker secured victory in the Grosvenor Insurance 1.50m with Claire Vilarrubi’s Vagabond De La Pomme x Clearway nine-year-old Vagalenco GF.
Fifty-one riders contended this world ranking 4* 1.50m speed with just seven clears realised, Joe supplying the quickest round to take the top spot.
"I always knew he had the jump and quality to do that, but it was always going to be a tough class for him due to his lack of experience. But he’s just answered everything. He’s a real trainable gentleman of a horse, which makes our job a lot easier, I’m so, so proud of him," said Joe.
Mark Edwards chased hard with Flying Tinker II to finish 0.46 sec in arrears.
Commenting on the return of Bolesworth International to the CSI4* level, Joe Whitaker described the commitment by Al Shira’aa as, “It’s absolutely amazing isn’t it, we don’t have many shows at this level , and especially not of this quality, especially with the money they’ve got for the Grand Prix for this weekend, it’s absolutely exceptional isn’t it?”
Mark had earlier claimed his third win of the show in the Hird & Partners 4* 1.40m speed, this time with a slick round on the 10-year-old Montreuxs Tale daughter Royale Tale, outpacing his 53 rivals with 0.99 sec to spare over Ryan Page’s BP Ko Jax.
"She’s a really feisty mare. We’ve had her from the beginning, and she’s been a winner right through," said Mark.
Jess Mendoza got her campaign off to a flying start with victory in the opening day’s WR Parters 4* 1.50m with Ascadina PP Z.
Fifty-one riders lined up to tackle the 1.50m track with 12 returning for the jump-off. Course designer Rafael Suarez made full use of the arena in the jump-off, with the fast-footed mare benefiting from her naturally long stride. Jess, who is now based in America and a recent selection for the European Championships, hit top speed with the talented Asca Z x Ginus nine-year-old mare to win by 1.01 sec.
“It’s my first show in England for quite some time,” said Jess. “I’m very happy to be here. The class was big, but the mare jumped really, really well, and I knew it would be a fast jump-off. She’s quick, so I just had a good go at it!”
Ascadina PP Z, a nine-year-old mare, was bought by Jess at the start of this year from Max Routledge and Sue Evans.
“She’s showing a lot of scope and promise for the future. She’s a ‘puppy’ in the stable - very sweet and easy - and she’ll have a quiet day tomorrow, just hacking and hand grazing, before we take on Saturday’s Al Shira’aa Grand Prix.”
‘The best shall be last’ was fortuitous for Jack Whitaker as he maximised on his final draw to take the Charles Owen Under 25 Final with new ride Castell 22.
“He’s only eight and still green but he’s very cool and level-headed; taking on the atmosphere here like a champ,” said Jack.
Twenty riders came forward to face the 13-fence 1.40m course in the main arena with clever course-designing catching some out – two caught by time only and another six tapping out one rail. Four eventually returned for the jump-off, but early riders clipped a pole while trying to set a quick time.
Jack had to apply tactics as last to go – “Jodie [Hall-McAteer] was quick [on four faults] and I’d have liked to have gone quicker, but he’s inexperienced,” said Jack, who pushed the only other clear, The USA’s Lauren Skowland on Langley HX, into second by 2.45 seconds.
The eight-year-old Castell 22 (Cancara x Coriano) was purchased out of Germany at the end of last year.
“He was very green, so Dad [Michael Whitaker] has put some experience in him at the local shows. This is only my third show with him and we’re still getting to know each other. I have to sit and let him jump but over the bigger fences, he needs some help and that’s where we struggle. He’s still learning, but he has some power, he’s not short on blood, has a big stride and covers the ground – he’s a good one to have coming up for the team.”
Rachel Proudley landed a double in the Under 25 qualifiers, both with Quality TJS. A total of 76 competitors came forward over the first 1.35m two-phase, but Rachel outpaced the lot on the 10-year-old gelding to win by 0.71 seconds over Maisy Williams aboard Blossoms Billy Heinz.
Rachel also saw off a start list of 70 in the Under 25 1.35m speed, Quality TJS storming to victory by 0.60 seconds to push Madison Heath’s Ivory into second.
Derek Morton clocked up a hat-trick of one-star wins. Brian Squires’ handsome 11-year-old stallion Zlatan Z (Zirocco Blue VDL x Centauer Z) was responsible for two 1.30m two-phase wins with almost three seconds in hand in the first with 48 starters and outpaced 52 rivals in the second by 1.15 seconds.
Derek eased the 10-year-old Darcon V&V (Ard VDL Douglas Calvaro) into the top spot of a 1.25m two-phase, beating 64 challengers by 0.97 seconds.
Marnie Green, a double winner in week one, again doubled up with the ultra-consistent Iceman De Muze 12-year-old Ice Cold Z, topping the 1* 1.25m two-phase and 1* 1.30m two-phase classes.
Julie Finney conquered a hectic race for the top spot to lift the Voltaire Design Amateur 1.05m Final on Eclipse.
“I’ve only had him since February, he’s unbelievable, such a lovely horse, I can do anything with him,” said Julie.
Eleven of the 33 starters returned for the jump-off with times getting progressively faster, but Julie heeded trainers Derek Morton and Ryan Page’s advice, blasting down the final line to secure victory by 0.84 seconds. Bethany Hodgkinson had to settle for second place on Tenelick Diamond Rose with Douglas Breen’s opening round on Avalon Du Carpont finishing third.
Julie has qualified for the Bronze League Semi Finals next month with her sights set on HOYS and bought Eclipse on impulse.
“I bought him on a whim at South View’s Winter Classic – tried him and bought him the next day,” said Julie, who made the purchase from Phil Morris and Pauline Woodward via George Babes. “George had him in Scotland to sell as Pauline wanted him to go somewhere where she didn’t see him, but I only live 20 minutes away in Tarporley. It’s turned out well though, when Pauline saw me, she burst into tears and gave me a big hug.”
Lee Williams had fired a warning shot across the bows in Friday’s Nortons Fencing Five-year-old 1.10m two-phase with a 0.53 sec win on Carrera Stud’s Leestone Emeresky, and the pair went on to win the Five-year-old Final. Thirteen of the 42 original contenders advanced to the jump-off, Lee and the Emerald Van’t Ruytershof x Cornet Obolensky mare winning by 0.17 seconds.
“We’ve had since October. I’m lucky, she’s very easy, balanced and loves to do the job, I’m very fortunate to have her and get to jump her,” said Lee, who has set his sights on the World Young Horse Breeding Championships in Lanaken, Belgium, with Bolesworth International a key preparation event before the UK qualifiers.
“She was good last week, even better this week, probably felt much stronger and confident this week. Obviously being only five, she'll be going home now and having a few weeks rest, we'll be doing some embryo transfer, and then she'll be picked up again for the Young Horse Championships at Hickstead."
Reuben Blackhurst hit the jackpot on day one with a double of Amateur wins. Reuben, who is trained by Lee Williams, topped the 40-strong Peel Port Logistics 1.15m speed by 1.27 seconds on the Vigo D’Arsouilles 14-year-old Guinot Du Nocciola and outpaced 39 rivals in the Voltaire Design 1.05m with 0.29 seconds to spare aboard the 10-year-old Soulful.
“I’ve only had Soulful since December and I’ve really got to know him over the last few months going out to some international shows, so it was great to win here. Guinot’s probably my favourite, he’s really brave and really fast,” said Reuben, 16, who has made the move from Manchester to Nantwich to train with Lee, whom he describes as a major influence. “He’s like a brother, I really look up to him in the sport.”
Cate Kerr returned triumphant in the Le Mieux Pony 1.35m Final on Queen Star as four from a start list of 17 accessed the jump-off. Only two double clears were achieved, Cate forging ahead on the 12-year-old grey mare with an impressive 4.36 seconds to spare over Ella Spender’s Rouet Rouge.
“The first round was built quite strong and technical, there were a few lines where you had a couple of options and she jumped the first round really well. In the jump off, I just thought I'll go as fast as I can – I was a bit slower to the second last, but before that I'd made up the time – she was really good, so good,” said Cate, who shares the ride with Sophia Rogers, Cate thanked owner Nicola Rogers for the opportunity, having started riding the mare at the end of April.
Henry Leggott won the initial Pony 1.25m two-phase by the tiny margin of 0.01 second on the Namelus R 10-year-old Blossoms Big Claim, and Nellie Lock topped the Pony 1.30m Speed on Catho Van De Langvelden Z with 0.12 seconds to spare over Cate on Queen Star.
Images: 1st Class Images / Bolesworth International
.JPG "Condon clinches the Al Shira’aa 3* Grand Prix victory in a thrilling jump-off at Bolesworth International")