Four Riders Share Victory in Thrilling Al Shira’aa Bolesworth Puissance
The famous Puissance returned to the International Arena at the Al Shira’aa Bolesworth International on Saturday evening, delivering another unforgettable spectacle as four combinations shared victory after a thrilling five-round contest beneath the Cheshire skies.
With 11 horse-and-rider combinations representing Great Britain, Ireland and the UAE coming forward, the class once again proved why the Puissance remains one of showjumping’s most iconic and crowd-pleasing competitions. As the famous red wall climbed steadily throughout the evening, courage, precision and trust between horse and rider became the deciding factors.
The wall began at 1.35m before increasing round by round, gradually reducing the field as combinations tested the limits of their horses’ scope and athleticism. The venue record of 2.21m, jointly held by Guy Williams and Elliot Smith since 2024, remained untouched, but the competition still produced edge-of-your-seat drama.
Former Bolesworth Puissance winner David Simpson looked composed throughout aboard Kolman VDP, competing in only the horse’s second international show after impressing in last week’s Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby. Defending champion Rachel Proudley returned hoping to secure back-to-back victories, this time riding the experienced Irish Sport Horse stallion French Connection, adding to an already impressive Puissance record that includes victories at the Royal Dublin Horse Show, Horse of the Year Show and London International Horse Show.
As the wall reached 1.80m, several exciting newcomers announced themselves as future contenders. Tom Harrison and the promising seven-year-old Ti-Amo Van’t Elshout produced an impressive display before their challenge ended in the third round, while Ireland’s Paddy O’Donnell and Quality Command exited after the opening round. Britain’s Sven Joseph Hadley elected to withdraw Kannan Contessa following the second round.
The competition intensified at 1.95m as Ryan Page, Rhys Jones, Joseph Trunkfield and UAE Olympian Abdullah Mohd Al Marri all bowed out, leaving just four combinations to contest the deciding fifth round.
With the wall now standing at an imposing 2.10m, the remaining riders each came agonisingly close to clearing it outright. Local rider Paul Sims and the aptly named nine-year-old KWPN stallion Marshmallow displaced the top bricks, while Morgan Shirley and the talented chestnut mare Klaris Ride On, the only mare in the class, also brushed the wall. David Simpson and Kolman VDP suffered the same fate before last to go, Rachel Proudley and French Connection narrowly missed producing the winning effort after a single displaced brick denied them sole victory.
Instead, honours were shared between four outstanding combinations:
- Paul Sims (GBR) and Marshmallow (KWPN stallion, 2017)
- Morgan Shirley (GBR) and Klaris Ride On (chestnut mare)
- David Simpson (IRL) and Kolman VDP (KWPN stallion, 2015)
- Rachel Proudley (GBR) and French Connection (Irish Sport Horse stallion, 2015)
Although the wall record remained intact, the 2026 Al Shira’aa Bolesworth Puissance will be remembered for its remarkable four-way finish and the emergence of several exciting new Puissance prospects alongside some of the discipline’s established specialists.
A packed International Arena created a superb atmosphere throughout the evening, with spectators treated to one of showjumping’s purest tests of bravery, balance and partnership. Unlike traditional speed classes, the Puissance rewards accuracy and confidence rather than the clock, with each increase in height demanding ever greater commitment from both horse and rider.
The opening weekend of the Al Shira’aa Bolesworth International has already delivered outstanding CSI3* sport, with Sunday’s CSI3* Grand Prix still to come before attention turns to CSI4* competition during the second week of one of Britain’s premier international showjumping festivals.
