Posted: 22nd June 2015 | Back to news feed
Scotland's James Smith made it a case of third time lucky in the Ashford Farm CSI**** Bolesworth International as he captured the opening four-star class on a busy final day.
Smith had already claimed two second-placed finishes at Bolesworth on the 14-year-old grey mare Cumina, but he went one better in the 1.35m final, sponsored by Equi-Trek, to edge a thrilling jump-off.
And Smith did it from first to go in the race against clock, posting a time of 36.50 seconds to collect a £2,970 top prize and edge in-form Brazilian Marlon Modolo Zanotelli and Cavalia into second spot, while Laura Renwick and Ulievka De Breve finished third.
"We've had Cumina for eight or nine years now, and she has always been a real winner. She always tries and tries," Smith said.
"I knew that all the guys following me in the jump-off were fast, so I tried to do everything I could.
"It's a great arena here, and the whole show - everything about it - is amazing. You never see an arena like that anywhere, really."
Smith called on all of Cumina's impressive jumping technique and speed across the ground to post an impressive victory.
"She is a very quick mare and she turns very well," he added. "She jumped superbly. Because she is small, she is always going for the distances, and she doesn't waste a lot of time.
"She hadn't done anything since we came back from some shows in Spain and France, so this was her first proper show for two or three months.
"She is very consistent. She is naturally quick, and she genuinely tries. If she goes clear, then she will be there or thereabouts.
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