Holly Smith Claims Opening Ranking Class Victory as the Al Shira'aa Bolesworth International 2026 Gets Underway
Sunday 28 June 2026
British star lays down an early marker as CSI3* Week One opens with world class competition at Bolesworth Castle
The Al Shira'aa Bolesworth International 2026 got underway in spectacular fashion today, with Britain's Holly Smith producing a thrilling victory in the opening Longines Ranking class of CSI3* Week One, setting the tone for four days of elite international showjumping at Bolesworth Castle.
More than 280 riders and over 660 horses have descended on Cheshire for the opening week of competition, with combinations from across the globe beginning their campaigns in pursuit of Sunday's prestigious €57,000 CSI3* Al Shira'aa Bolesworth Grand Prix.
Holly Smith Tops Opening Grand Prix Qualifier
The feature class of the day, the Grosvenor Insurance CSI3* 1.50m Grand Prix Qualifier, saw 46 combinations battle for one of the coveted qualifying places for Sunday's Al Shira’aa Bolesworth Grand Prix.
Eleven riders representing four nations progressed to the second round, including Olympic medallist Laura Kraut (USA), Ireland's Trevor Breen and the UAE's Humaid Abdulla Khalifa Al Muhairi.
With just eight fences to jump against a demanding 50 second time allowed, speed and precision proved decisive. Oliver Tuff was first to set the benchmark before Graham Babes and Jack Whitaker each edged ahead with progressively faster clear rounds.
Next to challenge the leaders was Holly Smith aboard the exciting eight year old gelding, Nike Van Het Singraven. Delivering an exceptional display of bold turns and attacking lines, Smith stopped the clock in an unbeatable 36.90 seconds despite surviving a heart stopping moment in the second round.
"My horse is only eight years old, so to come into a 1.50m ranking class on the first day was a big ask," said Smith.
"There's so much for them to look at in that arena, so I was delighted just to go clear. Once we'd made it into the second round, I thought we may as well really give it a go."
One dramatic moment almost brought the round undone when the gelding misjudged the oxer, leaving Smith briefly unbalanced.
"We landed, I had my face on his neck, looked up and realised I still had a distance to the next fence, so we just kept going. To still be on was great – taking the lead was an added bonus."
The victory continues the exciting progression of the talented young horse, who has been with Team Smith for three years and has already enjoyed considerable success in the age classes.
International Competition Begins in Style
Competition began in the Falcon Cranes CSI3* 1.30m Against the Clock, where Ireland’s Sven Hadley and Maximum Numero Too HSH claimed the first international victory of the week. The pair produced the quickest round of the class to stop the clock in 53.63 seconds.
"It was nice to get off to a good start," said Hadley. "Bolesworth is a show we always work towards each year, so it's great to begin the week with a win."
The naturally quick eight year old gelding arrived in Cheshire in excellent form following victory in Ireland last week. Hadley will have double the reason to celebrate this evening with his team as he also took a win in the Cavalleria Toscana CSI1* 1.25m against the clock with Machnus Lux.
The action then moved into the iconic moated International Arena for the Hird & Partners CSI3* 1.40m Two Phase, attracting a competitive field of 78 starters.
Victory went to James Smith riding Thomas Carruthers' Juno Rose 23, whose faultless double clear in 26.14 seconds proved impossible to catch.
"My mare is naturally so quick, so I knew if I did my job she'd be hard to beat," said Smith. "It was a lovely course to get the week started."
Young Horses Showcase the Future of the Sport
The CSIYH1* Six-Year-Old Two Phase produced one of the most popular victories of the day as local rider Keith Shore partnered Elaine Williams' home-bred Riaux d'Emeraud to victory in 29.62 seconds.
With horse, owner and rider all based within just a few miles of Bolesworth Castle, it proved a fitting local success on the opening day of competition.
Shore attributed the win to an attacking approach, taking one stride fewer to the final fence before committing to a bold line between fences five and six.
"Elaine bred him herself, which makes it even more special," said Shore. "We're all local to Bolesworth, so to get an early win so close to home is fantastic."
Benjamin Raistrick finished second with Margaery, while Louie Cunningham completed the podium aboard Ashdale Lockdown.
The CSIYH1* Seven-Year-Old Two Phase, sponsored by Actiph Water, saw the United Arab Emirates claim a one-two finish as Humaid Abdulla Khalifa Al Muhairi guided Al Shira'aa Stables' Errill Z to victory ahead of fellow Al Shira'aa rider Salim Ahmed Al Suwaidi aboard SS Ourania.
Looking Ahead
Reflecting on the opening day, Bolesworth Managing Director Nina Barbour said:
"It's been a fantastic opener to Week One of the Al Shira'aa Bolesworth International. We've already seen a glimpse of just how exciting this week's finals are going to be, and it's been a pleasure to welcome over 280 riders and more than 660 horses safely to Bolesworth."
Attention now turns to another full day of world-class international competition on Saturday, with action beginning from 08:00, culminating in the CSI3* Equiyd Pusisance.
Tickets are available now by visiting www.bolesworth.com.
Image: 1st Class Images / Bolesworth International
.jpg "Great Britain’s Team Audevard finish in seventh place with unlucky four fault rounds at the CSIO3* Longines EEF Series Nations Cup of Budapest")
