Holly Smith topped a huge field of class competitors to claim pole position by 2.49sec with the exciting Denver — a victory she put down to stride patterns
Holly Smith and Denver (pictured) were at the top of their game to take a searingly competitive 18-strong jump-off for the end-of-tour grand prix, a 1.50m Tokyo qualifier at Vejer De La Frontera CSI2*, Spain.
“It was a two-star, but the level of the field was more like a five-star,” Holly said. “There are so many good riders here, it’s a job just to qualify for the grand prix.”
Jumping from penultimate draw, the 12-year-old ex-eventer was at his athletic best to switch fluidly from a ground-eating stride to neat and well-executed turnbacks.
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