The final day of the Bolesworth International, presented by Al Shira’aa, brought the curtain down on two unforgettable weeks of top sport, talent and international competition, set in the stunning grounds of Bolesworth Castle.

Pony power led the charge as the first champions of the day were crowned in the International Arena. The 1.35m Pony Final, sponsored by LeMieux, saw Cate Kerr and Queen Star go one better than the day before to take the win.

Talking through her round on Queen Star, Kerr said:

“The first round was built quite strong, it was quite technical, there were a few lines where you had a couple of options on, and she jumped the first round really well, and then the same 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.”

Sharing the ride with Sophia Rogers, Cate thanked owner Nicola Rogers for the opportunity, having started riding the mare at the end of April and quickly finding their form under the guidance of trainer Dave Fisher.

Newly crowned CSI4* Al Shira’aa Grand Prix champion Laura Renwick added to her impressive Bolesworth campaign with yet another win – this time in the CSIYH1* 7-Year-Old Final, sponsored by Helgstrand Jewellery, with the ultra-consistent NFS Top Gun.

Describing her week at the show, Renwick said:

“Incredible – there’s no other word for it – you know, all the horses have done their bit, it’s just fabulous.”

Referring to NFS Top Gun as “her baby,” Renwick praised his maturity and brilliant attitude, saying he jumps like “he’s done it all before,” and is excited for his future.

Another familiar face to the podium, Lee Williams, produced a double clear in a time of 29.17 aboard the Carrera Stud’s Leestone Emeresky to take top spot in the CSIYH1* 5-Year-Old Final, sponsored by NCS Equestrian Boutique. The pair, who also won the qualifier earlier in the week, continued their strong form.

Talking on the progression Leestone Emeresky has made during the two weeks of competition at Bolesworth International, Williams said “she was good last week, even better this week, probably felt much stronger and confident this week, obviously being only 5 years old, she’ll be going home now and having a few weeks rest, shes owned by the Carrera Stud, so we’ll be doing some embryo transfer, and then she’ll be picked up again for the Young Horse Championships at Hickstead”

It was an international arena super hero show down in the crowd favourite 80cm/1.25m Mini Major, sponsored by AC Jackson, which saw Ireland’s Sven Hadley and paired mini Scarlett Wade taking the win on a clear speedy time of 52.87, stealing the win from fellow Irish competitor 2025 CSI3* Al Shira’aa Grand Prix winner, Anthony Condon and son Hector.

In the CSIYH1* 6-Year-Old Final sponsored by Natural Flake Wood Shavings, it was all about speed and consistency, with 30 combinations jumping clear in the first round out of 66 starters. UAE rider Humaid Abdulla Khalifa Al Muhairi secured the win in an impressively competitive jump-off time of 28.14 seconds with Al Shira’aa Stables’ O-Abby VDB.

Speaking fresh from his lap of honour, the newly crowned 6-Year-Old Champion said:

“I am very happy with the mare, the jump off was tough but she was so fast,” continuing to thank HH Sheikha Fatima of Al Shira’aa for enabling him to be in the UK to challenge some of the bigger riders in the sport at this event”

The final CSI4* ranking class and finale of the show – the CSI4* Jump Off, sponsored by Hird & Partners, brought the curtain down on two weeks of top sport in Bolesworth’s iconic moated international arena.

With a start list of 72, 16 jumping efforts in the first round shuffled the pack with some expected performers rolling poles or picking up time faults. Ten combinations progressed through to the jump off, representing four nations, with a tight time allowed of 48 seconds set by course designer Rafael Suarez.

It was a fantastic victory for the UAE, as Abdullah Mohd Al Marri stormed to the win in a time of 38.39 aboard Al Shira’aa Stables’ experienced gelding, James V.D. Oude Heihoef. Having competed seven horses across the two arenas on the final day alone, Al Marri closed out what has been a highly successful two weeks of competition at Bolesworth.

Commenting on his long-standing partnership with the 16-year-old gelding, Al Marri said:

“He jumped his heart out for us once again, he’s been our most loyal servant in the Al Shira’aa team, we have great horses and he’s definitely one of them.”

Talking about his plan going into the jump off, Al Marri said:

“I went early, and I knew the fastest two riders probably went ahead of me, Jessica Mendoza and Laura (Renwick) so I was happy that they had fences down to be honest because I don’t think I’d have got that time,” he joked.

The ever modest Al Marri claimed that luck had a part to play, but added that he stuck to his plan in the hope it would be enough, trusting his “always consistent horse” that he can always rely on for the big occasions, which certainly was the case today.

Reflecting on an unforgettable event, Nina Barbour said:

“We’ve had two fantastic weeks of international sport here at Bolesworth, and it’s been truly special to see CSI4* competition back on our schedule with a global field of athletes, and incredible 3 & 4* wins by local hero, Anthony Condon, and inspirational leading lady rider Laura Renwick.

That wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support of our Honorary President, HH Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the entire team at Al Shira’aa – we are so grateful for their partnership as well as delivering our shared vision of developing the sport and making it accessible to riders at all levels, into reality through this show.”

The full results from week two of the Bolesworth International, presented by Al Shira’aa, can be found by visiting the Equipe app or online.equipe.com