The second day of the Al Shira’aa Bolesworth Young Horse Championships was a test of strength and perseverance for both horse and rider, as extreme heat warnings hit parts of the UK.
However, the organisers of the show, which includes the official British Showjumping Young Horse Championships with qualifiers for the World Breeding Championships at Lanaken in September, put plenty of safety measures in place. This included switching a previously scheduled Jump Off in the Old Lodge Stud CSI2* GP Qualifer, and Hunter Woodshavings CSI1* 1.25m, to Two Phases and placing several welcome hydration posts around the grounds.
The day got underway with the Ashdale Sports Horses 4yo Qualifer 2 in which 33 of the 70 went clear, meaning a total of 50 have qualified through to the final on Saturday.
Next up was the Cheval Liberte 1* 1.05m, with 79 participants, the top of three were:
1. Elisha Simmons, GBR, Avalon du Carpont
2. Ciara Miller, GBR, Finishing Touch
3. Harriet Thompson, GBR, Heros Chin de Litrange III
The largest class of the day was the Dallamires Stables 5yo Championship Qualifier 2. A substantial 111 riders lined up for this popular class. Fifty-seven from both qualification sessions are now seeded through to Saturday’s final.
Top three:
1. Carmen Edwards, GBR, Escape the Gossip
2. Jackson Reed Stephenson, GBR, Cornet of Follyfoot
3. Laura Mantel, GBR, Rhodiamant Roxanne
Title sponsor Al Shira’aa Stables enjoyed more success today when Abdalla Hamad Ali Al Kirbi won the Horseware Ireland CSI1* Two Phases 1.15m ahead of 97 other riders.
Top three:
1. Abdalla Hamad, UAE, Ali Al Kirbi | Emirats de Vie
2. Sarah Winterbottom, GBR, Nediva Z
3. Abbie Bevan, GBR, Genius Contender
Hannah Barker topped the Hunter Woodshavings CSI1* Two Phases 1.25m, which included 64 horses and riders.
Top three:
1. Hannah Barker, GBR, Miss Independent B
2. Megan James, GBR, Whitesparke Mystery
3. Tony French, GBR, Sorrento
The final class of the day – the Old Lodge Stud CSI2*Two Phase GP Qualifier 1.40m - welcomed a round 100 competitors to the arena.
Richard Howley from West Ireland headed the class, taking the win on his gelding Chinook. “I was riding my old trusty favourite horse Chinook. He's 14-years-old and is back after 18 months after injury.
It’s great to be about to get out and ride in the sun in England. The course was lovely and fluent. It had a nice feel about it from the very first jump. I’m back tomorrow and then again on Sunday.”
Top three:
1. Richard Howley, IRL, Chinook
2. George Whitaker, GBR, Peanut
3. Carmen Edwards, GBR, Happy Valerie
Away from the sporting arena, the Bolesworth Elite Foal Auction takes place at 8.45pm tomorrow the 12th of August. Here, Garry Merton, of the Bolesworth Elite Foal Auction team gives a run down on the 2022 auction.
“In addition to the sire, our focus is on black type damlines. To be in contention for selection, the mare needs to either have jumped at 1.60m level herself or be very closely related to prolific 1.60m level performers, with the ideal being that the dam has already produced proven performers on the international circuit.
“We have a real range of top-class sires with some of the most sought after in the World, including Chacco Blue, Diamant de Semilly, Cornet Obolensky, and a selection currently performing at the Herning World Championships, namely Balou de Reventon and Ben Maher’s ride Faltic HB. The calibre of this auction is such that the fillies would make a valuable addition to any breeding programme, and many of the colts have clear stallion potential.
“We want to give interested parties every chance to see the foals. We do have a lot of people buy online or over the phone too, and that’s why we create videos and put a lot of time into their online information. We’re proud to be able to offer the opportunity for people to buy great foals in the UK from the best British and European breeding lines.”
Potential bidders should visit www.bolesworth.auction to register. To book a place at the auction contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Lot enquiries should be directed to Garry Merton on 07775 662 022.
The 2022 Al Shira’aa Bolesworth Young Horse Championships are free to spectators every day until Sunday the 14th of August and return tomorrow, the 12th of August from 8am.