Great Britain’s top-ranked female rider Laura Renwick launched Ladies’ Day at the Equerry Bolesworth International Horse Show with an emphatic victory in the opening four-star class.
Laura, a consistent winner on the British and European showjumping circuits, proved unstoppable in the 1.35-metre two-phase competition, sponsored by Watson Plant Hire.
Riding 13-year-old mare VDL Groep Alitta, she made light work of having an early draw to post a time of 35.67 seconds, and no other combination seriously threatened her.
Ireland’s Anthony Condon, winner of the Bolesworth grand prix last year, finished second on Dublin V in 39.44 seconds, with Holly Smith and Fruselli taking third on a time of 41.16.
Reflecting on a great start to the weekend, Laura said: “She jumped well on Friday and had an unlucky four faults.
“She is a naturally fast horse, and I was early to go. I went fast, and ended up winning by quite a margin, so the course proved more difficult than I thought it was going to.
“The two-phases are quite long courses. There were a lot of jumps, but she kept her concentration.
“She won a few ranking classes with me in Villamoura in Portugal at the beginning of the year, and she is one of those horses that you don’t feel like you are going that fast, but you are. She is very easy to be quick on.
“I have got some lovely young horses coming through that I am really excited about.”
