The opening week of international competition at the Al Shira’aa Bolesworth International concluded with a full schedule of CSI3* finals on Sunday, as championship honours were decided across amateur, young horse, Under-25 and international classes.

The feature class of the day, the CSI3 1.45m Jump Off Ranking Class, sponsored by Hird and Partners, attracted 68 combinations from six nations. Eight riders produced clear first rounds to qualify for the jump-off, where competitors from Great Britain, Ireland, Portugal and Sweden battled for the final Longines Ranking class of CSI3* week.

Great Britain’s Matt Sampson emerged victorious after producing the fastest clear round.

Speaking after his win, Sampson said:

“She jumped great. She can’t turn as quick as some of the ones that went before us but I tried to use her stride. She jumped fantastic today. I couldn’t be happier with her.”

Looking ahead to the CSI4* competition beginning later this week, he added:

“The plan stays the same, just on bigger tracks against maybe some even better horses. This show and what it delivers over two weeks is fantastic for us in the UK.”

Sampson also thanked class sponsors Hird and Partners, who are his treating equine veterinary practice.

Posner secures amateur 1.15m title

The CSIAm-A Two Phase 1.15m Final, sponsored by Cheval Liberté, saw 34 combinations compete, with 13 progressing to the jump-off after faultless opening rounds.

Tia Jayne Posner and Happy-Fomia, owned by Paige Buxton, claimed victory in 26.41 seconds. Phoebe Lodge and NPS Jaliska finished second in 26.91 seconds, while Danielle Perez and One Poppy completed an all-British podium in 27.99 seconds.

After her victory, Posner said:

“It feels amazing to take the win. It’s something I’ve dreamt about for such a long time, and I didn’t think it could ever happen, but the horse is my horse of a lifetime.”

Having taken over the ride in December 2025 after the mare was leased from Strides Equestrian, Posner explained her approach:

“She’s a naturally quick thinking mare. She’s always looking for the next fence so she makes my job easy.”

Annie completes winning double

The CSIAm-A Two Phase 1.05m Final, sponsored by CG Professional, saw Annie follow up her International Arena victory from the previous day with a second consecutive win.

Reflecting on the result, she said:

“It was amazing. I was lucky enough to have a win in there yesterday on my other horse, but I didn’t expect to do the double. I’m very happy with my horses and they gave me their all in there.”

The victory came almost exactly a year after she and the mare finished second in the same class at the 2025 Al Shira’aa Bolesworth International.

Madison Heath claims two titles

Local rider Madison Heath enjoyed a memorable day by winning both the CSIU25-A One Round Against the Clock 1.40m Final and the CSIYH1 Seven-Year-Old Final*.

Riding BP Millionaire, owned by Carrera Stud, Heath secured the Under-25 title from a field of 19 combinations.

Describing her horse, she said:

“He’s a total show off with a very big ego and a pony like character.”

Later in the day, Heath partnered her home-bred mare Dakota to victory in the Seven-Year-Old Final.

Fifty combinations started the class, with 13 qualifying for the jump-off. Ireland’s Jack Ryan set the benchmark after riding three finalists, but Heath produced a quicker clear round aboard Dakota to secure her second title of the day.

She reflected afterwards:

“I’ve been having a bit of an on and off week with my results. The horses have all been jumping great but we haven’t quite had the placings we wanted. I feel like we sorted that out today.”

Speaking about the mare, Heath added:

“She’s gone from being an untamed youngster who loved to buck to a mare who absolutely loves her job.”

Eight joint winners in Five-Year-Old Final

The CSIYH1 Five-Year-Old Final*, sponsored by Charles Owen, attracted 35 starters, with 12 combinations producing clear first rounds.

Under FEI championship rules, the jump-off is not timed. One rider elected not to return, leaving 11 combinations to contest the second round, where eight combinations produced double clear performances to share victory.

The joint winners were:

• Harriette Rushton – Rocky G
• Robert Bevis – Emerson Z
• Abbie Bevan – Rockstar
• Danielle Ryder – Olilly Promesse Z
• Sian Mileham – Rocketman
• Philippa McKeever – Robby
• Holly Smith – Grantstown Lucky Luck
• Danielle Ryder – Epic HS Z

Nina Barbour reflects on opening week

Show Director Nina Barbour praised the standard of competition following the conclusion of the CSI3* programme.

She said:

“The standard of competition has been exceptional this week, and I’d like to thank all the riders, owners, grooms and visitors for their support. Enormous thanks also go to our title partner Al Shira’aa for their unwavering commitment to the show and to the development of the sport in the UK and beyond. We now look forward to a fantastic second week of top class international CSI4* competition from Thursday 2nd July with the chance for visitors to watch several athletes who have been longlisted for this year’s FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen.”

Week two of the Al Shira’aa Bolesworth International begins on Thursday 2 July with CSI4* competition and a further programme of international showjumping.