Windsor, Berkshire, England – May 12, 2019 – Day four of the Royal Windsor Horse Show CSI 5* welcomed the international circuit’s finest Show Jumpers, with Friday’s Manama Stakes‘ winner, Holly Smith (GBR) making it a double.

With 13 of the world’s current top 20-ranked Show Jumpers competing in the day’s showpiece class, the €62,000 Kingdom of Bahrain Stakes for the King’s Cup CSI 5*, the level of competition proved to be incredibly high from the outset. The testing 1.55m Bob Ellis-designed course demanded every bit of skill from the 31 horse and rider combinations that started, with just six eventually progressing to the jump-off, including three British riders, notably Harry Charles (GBR), Ben Maher (GBR) and Holly Smith (GBR).

Harry Charles (GBR) was first to go, and despite some early promise and tightly negotiated turns, he and Borsato (Contendro x Ninjiski) put down the first of the swan-themed double. Friday’s Manama Stakes’ winner, Holly Smith (GBR) laid down the gauntlet producing an exceptional ride, crossing the finish line flawlessly in 34.02 seconds.

With Jessica Springsteen (USA) and Gregory Wathelet (BEL) both accruing eight penalties, it was up to Ben Maher (GBR) and Martin Fuchs (SUI) to challenge Smith’s time. But it wasn’t to be after both riders were unable to match Holly Smith’s unassailable time.

Great Britain claimed the top two spots in the 1.55m contest when Ben Maher (GBR) and Tic Tac (Clinton x Darco) matched the winner’s clean scorecard, finishing second due to their final time of 35.15 seconds.

Martin Fuchs (SUI) and The Sinner (Sanvaro x Landgold 3) completed the podium as the only other combination with two penalty-free rounds, the second one in 44.27 seconds.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II presented Holly Smith (GBR) with the The King’s Cup

Later on in the afternoon the Leicestershire-based 30-year-old, winner of the second most prestigious class of the event, was all smiles when Her Majesty The Queen presented her with the King’s Cup trophy.

For full results, please click here.

Source: Press release from Revolution Sports for Royal Windsor Horse Show

Photo: © Royal Windsor Horse Show / Kit Houghton