The climax of the Al Shira’aa Bolesworth Young Horse Championships delivered spectators the opportunity to view the stars of today and tomorrow, in all their glory.
The five-day show concluded with highlights featuring a thrilling World Ranking Al Shira’aa Grand Prix battle, and impressive young horse Championship Finals with the Windmill Farm Estate 6-year-old and Al Shira’aa 7 -year-old 2021 Champions crowned.
Ninety-nine combinations from the week’s qualifying classes were brought forward for the first round, giving them the chance to secure a ticket to the FEI World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in Lanaken (BEL), plus a share of the bonus money.
Three worthy combinations delivered faultless rounds in a fast-paced, thrilling jump-off, with Ronnie Jones and Kaleche taking the title in the Windmill Farm Estate 6-year-old Championship.
This F One Usa x Nassau mare, owned by Ruth Dowie of Runningwell Sport Horses, has won the Bolesworth Young Horse Championship as a 4, 5, and now 6-year-old, as well as the British Showjumping Big Star Championship. F One Usa mare Kaleche can also add ‘Working Mum’ to her list of accolades as she boasts promising youngstock by Invictus on the ground via recipient mares.
In third place respectively, British bred horses were Joseph Trunkfield’s Rsh Deal Breaker (Action Breaker x Lux Z) and Lucy Townley’s Billy Marionette (Cevin Z x Billy Congo), owned by the Billy Stud. Three riders posted flawless rounds all week, splitting £4,000 in bonus money.
Ronnie Jones was delighted with his horse, saying: “I’ve never ridden a horse quite like Kaleche, she’s so laid back at home, but when you come to the first fence in a jump-off and ask her to go up to ten gears, she’s at the end of the rein ready. We are simply over the moon with her. The age championships have really suited her, asking enough and giving us something to work towards”.
The highly anticipated Al Shira’aa 7-year-old Championship brought a tremendous promise for future talent. After fifty-four came forward from the qualifying rounds, the highly competitive class produced fourteen clears to go through to the second round against the clock. The fourteen riders, including William Whitaker, asked all the questions of a championship final.
Harthill Magician, a former graduate of the Science Supplements Bolesworth Elite Auction, and Al Shira’aa’s own Chalina 9, ridden by Humaid Abdulla Khalifa Al Muhairi.
Having demonstrated focus and determination to win the Al Shira’aa 7-year-old Championship, Jack Ryan(IRL) rode Operette Van De Koekoek to victory.
Previously ridden by Michael Duffy up to 1.40m, the Thunder Van De Zuuthoeve x Skippy Ii mare achieved a successful double clear at Royal Windsor and was placed at the Bolesworth CSIYH1* earlier this year.
Sami Kettle, the Sponsorship Coordinator for Al Shira’aa, said: “
We’re thrilled with the success of this year’s Young Horse Championships and are so pleased to be back at Bolesworth. It’s a real highlight in our competition calendar and the perfect opportunity to prepare our horses for the Arab League, which starts in November. We have enjoyed showcasing our young horses across all the age classes, as well as featuring Tsunami De Hus, Chacco Bay and SS Pegasus in Friday’s Stallion Parade.
Our stables have achieved many top ten placings this week, with one of our best stallions Tsunami De Hus finishing 4th in Friday’s CSI2*. For us, Al Shira’aa and the Bolesworth Young Horse Championships share a common vision, to support and promote British breeding and young sport horse development. We are so pleased with our horse’s performances this week and feel privileged to support Nina and the team deliver such an important fixture in the sporting calendar”.
With late changes to the leader board, the results finally settled with Trevor Breen (IRL) and Jicarla T (Caretino Gold x Numero Uno) finishing second and Bethanie Knight (GBR) riding Julius (Action Breaker x Cantos) in third. Foot perfect all week and with faultless rounds across both qualifying classes and the Championship, the bonus pot was divided between three riders Jack Ryan, Jessica Burke and Graham Gillespie.
Last to take to the International Arena, the formidable Al Shira’aa CSI2* 1.45m World Ranking Grand Prix, was always going to be fast and furious with competitors giving just a taste of their capabilities in the qualifying rounds. An influential track with fences coming thick and fast, the testing course was a true Grand Prix finale course. Following the first round, thirteen were taken forward to the second round against the clock, ten of which were carrying their faults joining the 3 with clear rounds.
Nina Barbour, Managing Director of Bolesworth, said:
“It’s been a privilege and a joy to watch these young horses grow in confidence and really get to show off their talent in a setting like Bolesworth. These rounds jumped here will serve as a solid foundation for future success, it’s lovely to be a part of these horse’s development and help them lay the foundations for the future.”
“Working closely with our show sponsors, Al Shira’aa, we’ve been able to continue to build, progress and celebrate the strength of British breeding, both through the age classes here and the record-breaking sales at the Science Supplements Bolesworth Elite Foal and Embryo Auction. The future really is looking bright for the future of British breeding.”
With the age champions determined and the WBFSH tickets secured, another excellent showcase of future sport horse talent concludes at the Al Shira’aa Bolesworth Young Horse Championships for another year. Bolesworth’s equestrian calendar now continues with the Voltaire Design Liverpool International Horse Show, the ultimate New Year’s celebration.
Voltaire Design Liverpool International Horse Show is taking place at the M&S Bank Arena in the heart of the city. It will feature world-class showjumping, the Shetland Grand National as well as Puissance and the ‘International Cossacks’ stunt show. Find the best seats in the house, general admission tickets, and hospitality tickets at www.liverpoolhorseshow.com.
Bolesworth Estate does not only host world-class equestrian events but also a number of other events, such as the Christmas Light Trail, which will take place from 26th November – 24th December 2021.
