The feature class of the day, the Dodson & Horrell CSI3* 1.45m Grand Prix Qualifier, designed by Louis Konickx (NED), offered competitors their first opportunity to secure a spot in the climax of the show, Sunday’s CSI3* 1.50m Grand Prix. Guy Williams (GBR) set the standard early with Hickstead Derby winner Rouge de Ravel taking an early lead and proving hard to beat. That was until Great Britain’s leading lady of showjumping Holly Smith, partnered with Fruselli, produced a foot perfect 1st round before seamlessly pushing into another gear when entering the second phase. Naturally fast, fearless and agile, the impressive round shaved 2 seconds off the leading time to secure the win in 27.5.
Holly Smith on her win: “He’s just a naturally quick, careful and competitive horse. He’s just got a touch more stride than most speed horses which allows me to take a stride out but then he’s still got enough motor for the corners, a lot of big striding horses can be slow but he’s not, he’s just that perfect medium of stride and speed”. Team GBR Olympic rider Holly will be joined by the top 25 combinations for Sunday’s finale, the Dodson & Horrell CSI3* 1.50m Grand Prix, including Robert Whitaker, Jack Whitaker, Jay Halim and Ireland’s Daniel Coyle and David Simpson to name a few. Following the thrilling Grand Prix qualifier was the equally competitive Bentley Ride & Drive, which saw the incredible Bentley Bentayga V8 take to the International Arena against the clock. With the showjumping round first and foremost followed by a quick change over, the driver took the wheel to add some pace with grace through the cone course. Tight turns with foot to the floor acceleration, taking the winning title was Jay Halim with co-driver Ed Jackson in 79.97.