Future Talent Takes Centre Stage at the Al Shira’aa Bolesworth Young Horse Championship
Wednesday 18 August 2021
The excitement builds as the very best young horses in the country congregate for an exciting five days of top competition at the Al Shira’aa Bolesworth Young Horse Championship. The sport schedule includes the hotly contested four, five, six and seven-year-old age classes climaxing with the weekend’s finals, offering an exclusive opportunity for British riders to qualify for the FEI World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in Lanaken (BEL).
Sharing an equally strong passion for British breeding, the Bolesworth Young Horse Championship is delighted to welcome the prestigious Al Shira’aa Stables as title sponsors for the second year running. The team from Al Shira’aa will also be campaigning their young horses in the age related classes at the Championships, as well as featuring a selection of their top breeding stallions.
Sami Kettle, Sponsorship Coordinator of Al Shira’aa Stables said: “We are delighted to be continuing our sponsorship of the Al Shira’aa Bolesworth Young Horse Championships. The show very much aligns with our ethos and Sheikha Fatima Bint Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan vision of producing young horses correctly to produce them for the global stage later in their career. By joining up with Bolesworth, it's so unique and exciting not only for British breeders but to help promote the sport throughout the UK.”
Sporting success started in the Castle Arena, with the Ashdale Sports Horses Ltd 4-Year-Old Qualifier producing 69 clears from 101 starters, guaranteeing a place in Saturday’s final. Ensuring an excellent opportunity for training and development within a big show atmosphere, the courses were constructed to provide the young horses with an opportunity to perform and showcase their talent whilst continuing with their education. Showing promise for the future was Elliott Smith with My Rose, Olivia Skinner with Mypilothago Hbz Jw and Angel Tough with Dure De Semily, all securing a spot in the final.
In the International Arena, the preliminary round of the Dallamires Stables 5-Year-Old Qualifier was contested by 143 combinations, with 57 finishing in equal first and qualifying for the final on Saturday. Leading the field and looking to be highly competitive for the final was Harry Whall with Quandanza Van De Calcie, Laura Mantel with Conquistador li Drh Z, and Laura Renwick with Nfs Angelina.
Proving unbeatable in an exciting Windmill Farm Estate 6-Year-Old Qualifier, Laura Renwick took the top spot on Kosmos A and second on Kiara, with John Crippen and Science Supplements Bp Ko Jax taking third. Laura commented on her win: “My winning horse, Kosmos A, is incredibly scopey with a super loose jump. He’s a little spooky, but that makes him special, and I was so pleased with his concentration today. He’s got a naturally big stride which covers the ground easily and he turns well, I think he is a top horse for the future. My second-place ride Kiara is a British bred horse, bred by Edward Bleekman in Devon, and is full sister to one of my previous top horses, Bintang. She’s been on great form this year, winning the 6-Year-Olds at the Dodson & Horrell Bolesworth International Horse Show, however it was her first time in the International Arena, which was a hugely educational experience for both my rides.”
Nina Barbour, Managing Director of Bolesworth, said: “The feeling of optimism could not be better represented than by the exceptional young horses and talent competing at the Al Shira’aa Bolesworth Young Horse Championships this week. We have a strong passion for offering a platform for British breeding and young horse performance, which is shared with our Title Sponsors, Al Shira’aa Stables. It’s fantastic to partner again with the team at Al Shira’aa and continue to promote British breeding.
“It’s looking to be a seriously exciting five days of showjumping action, including the highly anticipated qualifiers in the five, six and seven-year-old classes for the FEI World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in Lanaken.
“Alongside the sport schedule, we are also delighted to be offering our best collection yet of Elite Foals and Embryos in Friday’s auction. The damlines are a particular highlight of the collection with close relations to top equine athletes as well as Grand Prix performers in their own right.”
This year’s Science Supplements Bolesworth Elite Foal & Embryo auction offers its best line up to date. With a seriously strong damline being a common theme across all youngstock, highlights include Lot 13 Arkola by the legendary Arko III and out of the highly anticipated prolific Nations Cup & World Cup performer of Lauren Hough, Ohlala. As well as Lot 5 Cabago WY Z, out of Whoopie C, a Grand Prix mare herself who is the dam of CSI5* Winner in Florida this year, licensed stallion Tobago Z. Offering a unique opportunity to secure a future star with some of the most coveted bloodlines in the world, this collection is not one to be missed.
The entire collection of Lots in Friday’s Science Supplements Bolesworth Elite Foal and Embryo Auction is available to view online at www.boleswortheliteauctions.com. Prospective online bidders must register to bid at Bolesworth.auctions or book hospitality for the evening of Friday 20th August at the Al Shira’aa Bolesworth Young Horse Championships to bid live. There will be an opportunity to view the collection at the show in the International Arena on Thursday 19th August at 8pm, with the auction commencing at 8.45pm on Friday 20th August. Please e mail auctions@bolesworth.com with any queries, to arrange a telephone bid or to arrange a call to discuss your individual requirements.
General admission tickets are available to purchase at £15.00 for adults and £7.50 for children, which includes free parking. Children under three can enter for free and well-behaved dogs are welcome too. Pre-booking is advised to avoid disappointment, however limited tickets will be available to purchase on the day and will incur an additional £5 parking fee. For British Showjumping Members, a discounted rate ticket price of £10.00 is available on pre-booked adult tickets. Spectate in style from the comfort of hospitality, visit https://www.bolesworthyounghorse.com/hospitality/ to book.
Image: Laura Renwick & Cosmos A (1st Class Images)
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