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' ' ' Holly Smith and the exciting eight year old Nike van het Singraven continued their sensational run of form on the opening day of Week Two of the Al Shira'aa Bolesworth International, producing the only double clear performance to win Thursday's CSI4* 1.50m Longines Ranking Grand Prix Qualifier, sponsored by CG Professional.Defeating an all star field that included current world number nine Laura Kraut, multi-Olympian John Whitaker, Irish star Billy Twomey, reigning Al Shira'aa Bolesworth CSI4* Grand Prix champion Laura Renwick and a host of Olympic riders, European medallists and Nations Cup winners, Holly Smith Showjumping produced two flawless rounds to secure back to back international Longines Ranking victories at Bolesworth.The 48 strong field, representing six nations, were all chasing valuable Longines Ranking points and a share of the impressive prize fund in Rafael Suarez and teams 16 effort track that sent four combinations through to the jump off.USA's Sterling Malnik, who qualified for last week's CSI3* Al Shira'aa Grand Prix jump-off, was first into the International Arena aboard Calgary Tame but incurred 12 faults.The first British combination, local rider Hannah Sims, based just eight miles from Bolesworth, partnered the stallion Kingfisher, fresh from contesting this year's Al Shira'aa Hickstead Derby. The pair added four jumping faults and a single time penalty.Guy Williams looked on course for a clear after producing a smooth, flowing round before a late rail denied him, while reigning CSI4* Al Shira'aa Bolesworth Grand Prix champion Laura Renwick and Marseille saw two fences fall despite producing one of the quicker rounds of the day.It was Holly who finally cracked the course, delivering the first clear aboard the hugely talented Nike van het Singraven before Ireland's Billy Twomey and Ace of Hearts Z quickly joined her with another faultless performance.Multi Olympian John Whitaker and Equine America Unick de Francport looked set to make it three clears, only to agonisingly pick up a single time fault, while Laura Kraut ensured three nations would contest the jump off after guiding Carquilara PS home inside the time allowed.Just four combinations progressed to the deciding round, with Holly joined by Billy Twomey, Sally Goding and Laura Kraut.First to return, Holly knew she had to lay down a target and did exactly that, producing another immaculate clear in 39.70 seconds.Billy Twomey (Show Jumper) Official chased hard but a single rail left him to settle for second, while Kraut's fast four fault effort secured third. Sally Goding also picked up faults, leaving Holly and Nike van het Singraven as the only combination to produce two clear rounds.The victory capped a remarkable fortnight for Holly and the eight-year-old, who became the only rider to win both of the Al Shira'aa Bolesworth International's Longines Ranking classes, underlining the emergence of one of Britain's most exciting young horses.Speaking after her win, Smith said:"I couldn't be more pleased with the horse he obviously likes it here."Not only is it special to win another ranking class after last week, but one of his joint owners, Liz Astall, was here to watch him for the first time, so it was really lovely to do that in front of her."Holly admitted she wasn't confident that they would pull off a top placing today: "The class was tough today with only four clears, and I was drawn first to go, so I didn't really fancy myself with the people I had coming behind me. I just did my usual round and hoped it would be good enough."Explaining where she felt she made the difference, she added:"I actually went a stride extra than I wanted from fence three to four, then I thought I really needed to take a chance to the double, which I did. It's naturally quite a quick course and I thought that just put enough pressure on that it forced people into mistakes."Holly has produced Nike van het Singraven since he was a five-year-old and believes the partnership they have developed is now paying dividends at the highest level."I've spent all of my time with that horse nursing him, producing him so I think that's why he's coming to this level as quickly as he has. He also has an exceptional temperament. He's super friendly and definitely thinks he's quite entitled!"Holly was in winning form, also claiming the top spot in the 4* 1.40m with the handsome and super-quick Fruselli, back in competition after almost two years away.Earlier in the day, Great Britain's Jessica Hewlett claimed victory in the CSIU25-A 1.35m Against the Clock Qualifier, sponsored by D&H.Fifty combinations from six nations tackled John Doyle's flowing 11 fence course in the Castle Arena, with D&H's commitment to supporting equine performance through expert nutrition providing fitting backing for the class.Ireland's Seamus Hughes Kennedy laid down the first clear in 57.96 seconds before Chloe Hughes Kennedy ensured the opening two clears both belonged to Ireland.Britain's Cate Kerr moved to the top of the leaderboard aboard Ballypatrick Zambra with a time of 56.77 seconds and held the lead until halfway through the class, when Maddie Heath edged ahead before Glain Watkin-Jones and Heroine Pasquier shaved more time from the clock.Drawn late in the order, Jessica and Mosandro Van Perbeemd produced a superb round to stop the clock 0.64 seconds quicker than Glain Watkin-Jones and claim an impressive qualifier victory.Speaking afterwards, Jessica said: "That was so much fun. He's a quick horse and I was very lucky to have a good draw as well. He's naturally speedy, so all I really have to do is follow him and do as he says," she laughed.Explaining where she found the winning time, Jessica added:"Everything was a bit of a turn back after each line, so it was about keeping it tight but still keeping it smooth. That's where we managed to just nick that little bit of time."The partnership has only been competing internationally together for the past 12 months after Jessica bought the horse unseen, making the victory all the more special with a horse she describes as incredibly special to her.Photo 1st Class Images/Bolesworth International#showjumpinglife #showjumper #horsesofinstagram #KMClegalAl Shiraaa Tour #bolesworthinternational #showjumping

A pair of Shetlands left in agonising pain and barely able to walk due to neglect, are now making excellent progress in charity care.Mother-and-daughter, Ariel and Jewels, are recovering in the sanctuary of HorseWorld, after concerns about their welfare were reported to the RSPCA.Ariel and Jewels were suffering from severely overgrown hooves, making walking almost impossible. X-rays revealed both ponies had chronic laminitis, with significant rotation of the pedal bone in all four feet. The damage had developed over a prolonged period and was causing extreme pain.Ariel on arrival at HorseWorldWhen the call and initial photos came in from the RSPCA, I knew we had to act fast, said HorseWorlds Equine Welfare Advisor, Meg Challinor, who was among the team that responded to the emergency call. Within 40 minutes we were onsite with the emergency vet. I knew immediately they had been suffering for a long time.Their hooves had grown so badly that the bones inside their feet had shifted. Their joints had begun to collapse. Every single step they took was clearly absolutely agonising. They needed to be removed immediately.Their hooves were severely overgrownBoth ponies were also underweight and youngster Jewels had a deep indentation around her face where a headcollar had been left on for an extended period.Upon arrival at HorseWorld, the charitys welfare, veterinary and farrier teams carried out urgent assessments to determine whether recovery was possible and what treatment would be required. Despite the severity of their condition, the ponies quickly revealed bright, curious personalities and a strong will to recover.Today, Ariel and Jewels are making excellent progress thanks to ongoing specialist veterinary care, expert farriery, careful management and round-the-clock support from HorseWorlds welfare team.X-rays revealed both ponies had chronic laminitisThe pair will be among the horses and ponies meeting visitors at HorseWorlds annual Horse Fest Open Day on Saturday 25 July.The event offers an opportunity to go behind the scenes at the Bristol-based charity, enjoy demonstrations and activities, and learn more about HorseWorlds work protecting vulnerable equines across the South West.Happy at last: Ariel and Jewel have made good progressWhile Ariel and Jewels story has a happy ending, HorseWorld warns that they are far from an isolated case.Ariel and Jewels are just two of many horses who urgently need help each year, added Meg. Cases like theirs remind us why it is so important that we can act immediately when concerns are reported. Every horse deserves the chance of a safe, healthy future.More content from Your HorseJump out of trot to test rider balance and build trust with this exercise from Piggy MarchEmily Cole has launched a new collection and dressage fans will love it!5 things to bear in mind to achieve your solo hacking goals with a young or new horse or following a breakHow to tell if a horse is happy: behaviourist reveals 13 key signsThe post Look at us now!: Bright future for once neglected Shetlands appeared first on Your Horse.