The feature class attracted 44 combinations from seven nations, underlining the strength of
competition at Bolesworth following the event’s return to CSI4* status in 2025, made possible
through the continued support of title partner Al Shira’aa. With a start list of Olympians,
European Medalists, Nation Cup stalwarts and Grand Prix masters including 2025’s champion
Laura Renwick returning to defend her crown, the stage was set for a fitting penultimate day to
the week’s four star competition.

Designed by Rafael Suárez and his team, the demanding 13 fence track, with 16 jumping efforts
and a time allowed of 80 seconds. asked questions from start to finish, producing just 13 clear
rounds from the 44 starters. The influential Al Shira’aa combination and eye catching
watermelon wall proved decisive throughout the class, catching out a number of leading
contenders, including defending champions Laura Renwick and Marseille, while last weekend’s
CSI3* Al Shira’aa Grand Prix winner Trevor Breen and Kannoon Blue were also denied the
opportunity to complete a memorable Al Shira’aa Bolesworth Grand Prix double after having a
single rail.

Among those to answer every question were Ireland’s David Simpson with the experienced Pjotr
van de Kruishoeve, Britain’s Holly Smith aboard the exciting eight year old Nike van het
Singraven, USA rider Paris Sellon, Belgium’s Frederic Vernaet and both John and Jack Whitaker,
with six nations represented in a high quality jump-off.

The jump off delivered exactly the spectacle expected of Bolesworth’s showpiece class, with
the lead changing hands before Jack Whitaker produced what would prove to be the winning
round. Riding positively throughout, the 24 year-old combined pace with precision to stop the
clock in 41.64 seconds, a time that ultimately proved beyond reach despite determined
challenges from those who followed.

David Simpson once again demonstrated his consistency at the highest level to finish second
aboard Pjotr van de Kruishoeve in 42.55 seconds, while Holly Smith capped an outstanding
fortnight at Bolesworth by taking third with Nike van het Singraven in 42.68 seconds, continuing
the impressive form that has already seen the partnership enjoy Longines Ranking success
during the show.

For Whitaker, victory was made even more special by the partnership he shares with D&H
Valmy de La Lande, a horse that has been part of the Whitaker family for more than a decade.
“D&H Valmy has been in our stable since he was five years old and he’s 17 now,” he said. “He’s
been an absolute trooper for me, kept my career on the road for the last few years and I can’t be
more grateful to have him. He just keeps surprising us and keeps pulling it out of the bag.
“I honestly thought I hadn’t done enough. Even when I went into the lead, I still couldn’t quite
believe it, so to win this class is incredibly special.”

Reflecting on another successful week for the famous Whitaker family at Bolesworth, he added:
“There were six of us here this week, so if we’re not keeping it in the family we’re obviously not
doing a very good job!”

Runner up Simpson was quick to pay tribute to both his horse and the team behind his success.
“Every time I’m about to win something, a Whitaker appears!” he joked. “I’ve owned Pjotr since
he was a two-year-old and he’s been an incredible soldier. None of this happens without the
team around me and I’m so grateful for everything they do.”

Third placed Smith rounded off another successful week by praising her exciting string of young
horses.

“I didn’t expect this at all,” she said. “I’ve brought a young team here, but they really feel like
they’re coming of age now and showing everyone just how special they are.”
Congratulating the podium, Bolesworth’s Managing Director Nina Barbour thanked riders,
owners, officials, spectators and partners for another memorable week of international sport.
“A huge thank you to everybody who has made this week so special – our riders, owners,
officials, volunteers, spectators and, of course, our incredible partners, many of whom have
supported us for so many years. In particular, I want to thank our title partners, Al Shira’aa, for
their unwavering commitment, vision and belief in what we are building together.”

“Our partnership is about so much more than sponsoring an event. Together, we’re investing in
the future of our sport, creating opportunities for riders to develop and compete on the
international stage, while always keeping horse welfare and sporting excellence at the heart of
everything we do.”

“It has been a privilege to welcome riders from around the world back to Bolesworth. To see
Jack, David and Holly standing together on tonight’s podium – three riders who have supported
this show for many years – makes this a particularly special result and a wonderful way to round
off another fantastic week of sport.”

Elsewhere across Saturday’s competition, the Al Shira’aa Bolesworth International once again
showcased the depth of talent competing throughout the show, with championship honours
decided across the Amateur and Under 25 series.

The CSIAm-A 1.05m Final, sponsored by Premier Plants, attracted 36 combinations
representing five nations, with just nine riders producing the clear rounds required to secure a
place in the jump-off. Having gone close on several occasions throughout the week, it was
Great Britain’s Reuben Blackhurst who finally claimed the top spot, producing the fastest
double clear aboard Belinda Blackhurst’s Soulful to stop the clock in 27.30 seconds. Annie
Salthouse and Elati finished second, while Evie Toombes partnered If Evers Boy into third.
Speaking after his victory, Blackhurst paid tribute to the talented gelding.

“Solo is one of the fastest horses I’ve ever ridden,” he said. “He’s incredibly brave and will go on
any stride you ask him to. He’s so careful, so genuine and just wants to help you.
“At home he’s absolutely hilarious – he’s the biggest character in the yard. I think the turn back
to the second-last fence probably won it for us. That was where I managed to make up the most
time.”

The CSIAm-A 1.15m Two Phase Final, sponsored by Peel Ports Logistics, proved equally
competitive, with 43 partnerships from seven nations contesting the title. Following an
impressive opening phase that produced 30 clear rounds, 22 combinations returned for the
deciding phase, where Great Britain’s Amelia Gardiner and the experienced Ocs Double Vision
delivered the quickest faultless performance to take victory ahead of Ireland’s Douglas Breen
with Hucalinde D.V and fellow Irish rider Ciara Ryan aboard Isla Flight.

For Gardiner, victory represented a particularly memorable milestone.
“It feels very, very special,” she said. “I’ve been here for the last two weeks and this really means
a lot. We come to Bolesworth every year and every year it’s a fantastic show. Dudley has been
my partner for the last five years and this is probably the most memorable win we’ve had
together.”

Gardiner explained that the 17-year-old gelding had originally competed as a working hunter
before discovering his love for showjumping.

“He was never meant to be a showjumper,” she smiled. “He used to be quite lazy and would trot
between the fences, but we realised that if we saved him for special shows like this he really
comes alive. The longer we’ve had him, the more he’s enjoyed these big occasions.”

The CSIU25-A 1.40m Final, sponsored by D&H, brought another memorable success for local
rider Madison Heath, who completed an impressive Bolesworth double aboard her own BP
Millionaire after adding the championship title to last week’s Under 25 victory.

Twenty combinations representing Great Britain, Ireland and the UAE came forward for the
class, with just four combinations producing first round clears to reach the jump-off. All four
riders jumped another faultless round, but Heath and the talented BP Millionaire once again
demonstrated the speed and consistency that has made them one of the standout partnerships
of the fortnight.

“To win this class is something I’ve been aiming for,” said Heath. “The double win wasn’t
something I expected, but I feel like we’ve prepared him really well through the speed classes
and today everything came together.

“The course was obviously bigger and more technical this week, but I knew he could do it. He’s
got so much scope and when he’s concentrating and I’m concentrating, we’re a really good
team.”

Laughing about her horse’s personality away from the competition arena, Heath added: “He
won’t walk through puddles and he’s always looking for something to spook at, but I think that’s
what makes him so careful. He’s always paying attention and that’s what helps him in the ring.”

Full results from Sunday’s competition are available via Equipe.