Bolesworth hosts its fourth edition of the Young Horse Championships this week, the third in partnership with Al Shira’aa. The high-profile event incorporates the qualifiers for FEI WBFSH World Breeding Championships at Lanaken.
The sun shone brightly on the Cheshire estate for today’s opening sessions, however, with horse and rider welfare in mind, the Bolesworth team installed plenty of additional hydration stations especially for this event.
First out were the 4yo horses in the Ashdale Sports Horses Ltd class. 36 out of 74 qualified through to the final on Sunday.
Next up was the Windmill Farm Estate 6 Year Old Qualifier 1 in the Bolesworth Castle Arena. The second will be held in the International Arena on Friday.
Top 3:
1. Laura Mantel, GBR, Dame Diamant Z
2. Nicole Pavitt, GBR, Q-pleasure Van Seven Oaks
3. Laura Mantel, GBR, NFS Angelina
Sixty-nine participants lined up for the Hunter Woodshaving CSI1* 1.25m, 18 were placed and awarded prize money.
Top 3:
1. Megan James, GBR, Whitesparke Mystery
2. Sally Goding, GBR, Corbeagh Luxor
3. Molly Andrews, GBR, Wilando B
The Dallamires Stables 5yo horse and riders were next in the ring. Nearly half of the 109 riders went through with clear rounds to the second qualifier tomorrow, with the final taking place on Saturday.
The NexGen CS12* welcomed 76 participants to the Castle Arena, with Ali Hamad Al Kirbi, riding for title sponsor Al Shira’aa, heading the class on his gelding Dubai de Vie.
Top 3:
1. UAE, Ali Hamad Al Kirbi, Dubai de Vie
2. GBR, Jay Halim, Gentle
3. GBR, Sally Goding, Nitendo van de Ijse
Finally for day one, the Al Shira’aa 7yo Qualifer saw a great performance from Nicole Lockhead Anderson riding her own horse Emerald Irish Cruise. Nicole said: “It's a sensational arena to ride in and we're all very, very lucky to be here at Bolesworth – it’s a big thing. I’m really hoping to qualify for Lanaken as it’s something I’ve been working towards for quite a while. The course was super and flowed really well. Emerald was fine with the heat today and coped very well. There was shade down in the collecting ring and plenty of water points. All in all, it’s been a great afternoon and I’m looking forward to the rest of the week.”
Top 3:
1. GBR, Nicole Lockhead Anderson, Emerald Irish Cruise
2. GBR, Damien Charles, Presley OL
3. GBR, George Whitaker, Zirocca Zoom
The action gets underway from 8am tomorrow, the 11th of August, when the classes include:
Ashdale Sports Horses 4 Year Old Qualifier 2
Dallamires Stables 5 Year Old Qualifier 2
Old Lodge Stud 2* 1.40m
Cheval Liberte 1* 1.05m
Horseware Ireland 1* 1.15m
Hunter Woodshavings 1* 1.25m
The Bolesworth Elite Foal Auction preview will also take place at 8pm in the International Arena.
The 2022 Al Shira’aa Bolesworth Young Horse Championships are free to spectators every day until Sunday the 14th of August.