Twix wraps up Smith’s ‘best two weeks’ of his life
James Smith’s purple patch rolls on with his third big win in a row, there’s an all-female speed showdown and a former City worker bags her best win yet
AT the end of the grand prix here, James Smith described the past fortnight as “the best two weeks my life”. He wasn’t kidding. After winning the International Stairway class at the Royal Highland show, James travelled to Cheshire and rode Balibu to grand prix victory at South View’s British Masters. He then drove eight hours to Keysoe from his home in Kirkcudbright and went home with another world ranking grand prix win, this time on Twix De La Roque.
This was no easy task, as Kelvin Bywater’s course would have tested the world’s best.
There were plenty of technical lines, with a five- or six- stride run from a big oxer to a vertical-water tray double proving difficult. The final line was also problematic and some otherwise foot-perfect rounds were spoiled at the penultimate fence, where a flimsy top plank fell at the slightest touch.
However, seven combinations solved the puzzle to reach a jumpoff where there was extra pressure, as this show also hosted the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) wildcard qualification for two riders as part of the major classes.
Coming into the grand prix, Louise Saywell and Holly Smith were heading the points table and when both reached the jump-off,
‘She’s very fast and when everything comes off she usually
wins — she’s so genuine’
SIMON CRIPPEN ON 1.35M SPEED WINNER ATLANTA VIII
fingers and calculators went into overdrive.
Louise was riding Eindhoven GH for Billy Twomey and the eight-year-old — owned by Sam Middleton and Julian Mincher — jumped a sensational first-round clear. However, one mistake in the jump-off meant a nervous wait and some bitten fingernails for Louise before she realised that fifth place was good enough for a HOYS ticket.
“It’s mission accomplished. That’s what I came here for,” Louise said.
Holly Smith then confirmed her place in the HOYS international classes with the first double clear on Quality Old Joker. The nine-year-old OBOS Quality gelding must be one of the most versatile jumpers in Britain: speed classes, grands prix, puissance and Derbys all seem the same to him.
And Holly did admit to being a wee bit pleased that “George” failed to find a buyer at Goresbridge supreme auction in 2015.
“I am glad I’ve still got him, but I do like the money when they’re sold!” she said.
After Phillip Miller moved into second place with the quickest four-fault round on Unbelievable Lady, it looked as though Holly would take the top prize to Leicestershire. But you write off James Smith at your peril.
The 25-year-old Scotsman set off quickly on the lovely Frenchbred Twix De La Roque and the Kannan gelding never looked like faulting en route to victory by almost four seconds.
James got Twix, a 10-year-old selle Français, who is out of
Steve Guerdat’s former ride
Nasa, in April.
“The Highland was our first big show together, so he’s stepped up quickly. He seems quite straightforward, though he does have a bit of a ‘French mouth’ sometimes,” explained James, who will try for a HOYS wildcard at Stoneleigh’s national championships.
He wasn’t too confident before this class.
“I thought I’d be off up the road after the first round, so I went and settled my account,” he said. “It’s exactly the same as at South View. I hadn’t won a penny there before the grand prix either.”
FEIGTLING’S FLYING
THERE were huge entries in every class throughout the three days and the number of starters on day one meant that the 1.40m class was changed to a speed. Louise Saywell and Holly Smith staked their early claims to
HOYS qualification in this competition. Holly conjured a terrific turn of speed from Quality Old Joker, who looked the winner until Louise flew round to win with Feigtling.
“I’m here to qualify and there’s no point in not trying,” she said.
Trevor Breen scored the only Irish win of the show with a fabulous round on Willy Matton’s Bombay in day two’s 1.45m two-phase.
“My main aim is tomorrow’s grand prix, but she is naturally fast,” said Trevor, who has recently moved from Buckinghamshire to close to Hickstead. “Bombay’s one of those horses who needs plenty of jumping — the more the better. But I didn’t expect to win, so it’s a nice surprise.”
Earlier that day, Simon Crippen produced one of the rounds of the show to win the 1.35m speed class on Judy Ross’ Atlanta VIII. Simon has been riding the 12-year-old mare for four seasons, but she has only recently returned to competition after a minor injury break.
“She’s very fast and when everything comes off she usually wins,” said Simon. “She’s ready to step back up to grand prix level now and is such a genuine horse. She’s a pleasure to ride.”
The other 1.35m class ended in victory for Dale Burnham on Charlotte Clarke’s Doriena.
“She’s been off form, but she’s
‘She’s very quick and careful and is the most untypical chestnut mare ever’
JULIAN MINCHER ON DIRETTO
coming back well,” said Dale.
“I’m really pleased because this is a hard show to win at.”
Polly Gredley had one of the best results of her career when she and Unex Arantos (Alan) beat a huge field in the opening day’s 1.30m class. Polly has inherited a lovely string of horses from her brother Tim, who has exchanged showjumping for the point-topoint world.
“Tim’s done me a huge favour and Alan is one of the nicest horses in the world,” said Polly, who has given up her London PR business and will marry Newmarket racehorse trainer George Scott in September.
Yorkshire’s Paul Barker showed supreme talent against the clock to add the small grand prix to his day two’s 1.25m speed win on the 12-year-old Sandors Legacy.
“It’s the first time I’ve been to an outdoor show here and I’ve really enjoyed it. This horse liked the ring and loves a good gallop,” said Paul.
Julian Mincher was another double winner, taking day one’s 1.10m two-phase on Diretto and then partnering Scarlett Worrow’s nine-year-old mare to win a 1.15m speed class.
“I’ve only just started riding her. Scarlett’s gone to university and didn’t have time, so she sent Diretto to me to be sold,” said Julian. “She’s very quick and careful and is the most untypical chestnut mare ever.”
‘FUN’ VICTORY FOR CONNOR’S VALEREE
ANOTHER flying mare won the opening day’s 1.20m two-phase
when Rachael Connor and B Valeree blitzed round to beat a huge field. Rachael brought the 11-year-old daughter of Larino here to have some fun.
“She’s been doing big classes and won the newcomers second round at Weston Lawns, so I thought she’d appreciate an easier show,” said Rachael.
The 1.15m final went to Liverpool, courtesy of Jo McGlory on her pupil Samantha Sellers’ Witro, a 14-year-old gelding bought from Oakingham Stud.
“Samantha got him three months ago to do amateur classes and we’re now sharing the ride,” said Jo.
There were some lovely young horses in the five- and six-yearold classes and both produced cracking finals. Harry Bateman won the first from opening draw on Ingrid Wood’s Toulon mare Heerdelon.
“She may be a little whippersnapper, but I call her my five-year-old grade A, because she often knows what to do before me,” said Harry. “She just loves to run and jump.”
Producing young horses is a new venture for Harry, who is based in Essex.
“I’m a newbie to that game and I’m still learning, so to beat the riders I did today is such a thrill,” he added.
It was a first international win for 21-year-old Zach Beesley when he and Claire Inglis’ home-bred Optimistic headed the six-yearold final. The daughter of Billy Congo is out of Duncan Inglis’ former mount Miss Sante and is a half-sister to Amy Inglis’ top ride Wishes.
“Zach’s done all the work. We had so many horses in that we didn’t have time to produce her and when Zach came to us six months ago, he took her on,” said Claire.