Holly Smith and Fruselli completed a remarkable return to top-level competition with victory in the JCL Insurance Brokers Queen Elizabeth II Cup at the Agria Royal International Horse Show.
Smith travelled from Leicestershire to Hickstead determined to secure the prestigious national title, and the 37-year-old achieved her aim aboard Su and Gordon Hall’s experienced 16-year-old stallion.
The victory was Smith’s first in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup and marked another milestone in Fruselli’s extraordinary comeback. After spending two years away from competition, the stallion returned to the ring earlier this summer and has now recorded four consecutive wins.
“Whether he would come back or not, we just didn’t know,” said Smith, who represented Great Britain at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
“We dipped our toes with him a few weeks ago at Bolesworth and he was exceptional there, then we brought him here and he’s gone and done it again. It’s like a dream, and what a privilege it is to ride a horse with such experience.”
Eight combinations through to Queen Elizabeth II Cup jump-off
Smith and Fruselli were among eight combinations to jump clear in the opening round. Sixth to return for the jump-off, the pair used Fruselli’s naturally long stride and experience to complete the course in 35.60 seconds.
Their performance took more than 1.5 seconds off the time set by the early leaders, Ella Dalton and Ultimo NZ.
“Luckily, we’ve got a big screen down in the warm-up arena, so I kept an eye on what people were doing and I had an idea of how fast they were,” Smith explained.
“Fruselli’s a naturally quick horse, but you’ve got to get that balance of not going absolutely mad, but not leaving the door open for anybody else either.”
Event rider Gemma Stevens produced the fastest time of the jump-off aboard Envoy Merelsnest Z, but one fence down dropped the combination to seventh place.
Dalton finished runner-up and received the Cindy Mead Memorial Trophy as the highest-placed rider under 25. Former Queen Elizabeth II Cup winner Harriet Biddick completed the top three with Diamond Blue.
Mathieu Bourdeaud’Hui makes winning Hickstead debut
Belgium’s Mathieu Bourdeaud’Hui enjoyed a winning debut at the Agria Royal International Horse Show in the 1.50m Royal International Trophy.
The 23-year-old and British-bred nine-year-old My Kingdom finished 0.58 seconds ahead of Robert Whitaker and Strike a Pose in a competitive 17-combination jump-off. It was My Kingdom’s first appearance at five-star level.
“There were a lot in the jump-off, so I knew I had to take some risk,” said Bourdeaud’Hui. “For me it was perfect to have a jump-off where you need a lot of canter. My horse was very good.
“I’ve always wanted to come here, Hickstead is an amazing show. Every year I watch on the livestream at home and I’ve been dreaming of riding here one day. We’ve definitely had a good first visit.”
Ben Maher and Ginger-Blue win Speed Classic
Ben Maher added another British victory to the weekend’s results when he partnered Ginger-Blue to success in the Unex Group Speed Classic.
Faults were converted into time in the Table C competition, but Maher and Jane Forbes Clark’s versatile 15-year-old mare delivered a fast, clear performance. They beat Matt Sampson and Latte Macchiato by just 0.23 seconds.
“We’ve had her since a seven-year-old and she’s won so many classes for us. I know her very well,” said Maher.
“We’re very strategic now with where we place her and what we do with her as she’s a little bit older, but she’s in probably the best form she’s ever been in this year.”
The victory followed Maher’s contribution to Great Britain’s Agria Nations Cup triumph aboard Catelly during a memorable weekend of international showjumping at Hickstead.
Feature Image: Leicestershire’s Holly Smith and Fruselli win the JCL Insurance Brokers Queen Elizabeth II Cup. (c) Boots and Hooves Photography
