Press release from Bolesworth International, edited by World of Showjumping

At Bolesworth International, presented by Al Shira'aa, Thursday's feature class was the CSI4* 1.50m Grand Prix qualifier with a jump-off sponsored by WR Partners. With 52 combinations lining up for a place in Saturday’s CSI4* Al Shira’aa Big Tour Grand Prix, it was Great Britian’s Jessica Mendoza who topped the class aboard Ascadina PP Z (Asca Z x Ginus).

Twelve riders progressed to the jump-off, with five jumping double clear. Mendoza claimed victory with a high speed round, completing in 33.87 seconds.

“It’s my first show in England for quite some time,” said Mendoza. “I’m very happy to be here. The class was big but the mare jumped really, really well, and I knew it would be a fast jump-off. The mare’s quick, so I just had a good go at it!”

Course designer Rafael Suarez made full use of the arena in the jump-off, with Mendoza’s fast-footed mare benefiting from her naturally long stride and tight turns to shave off vital seconds.

Ascadina PP Z, a 9-year-old mare, was bought by Mendoza at the start of this year, from Max Routledge and Sue Evans.

“She’s showing a lot of scope and promise for the future. She’s a ‘puppy’ in the stable - very sweet and easy - and she’ll have a quiet day tomorrow, just hacking and hand grazing, before we take on Saturday’s Al Shira’aa Grand Prix.”

Great Britian’s Emily Ward took second place riding the talented 9-year-old stallion Wild Star HF (Big Star x Oklund), with a time of 34.86 seconds.

Talking about the talented stallion, Ward said “he was fantastic in the jump off, really intelligent, answered all the questions I asked of him, he’s got such a big rangey stride, being so careful you can really dare him to the jumps” 

Ireland's David Simpson and Billy Fern (Chacoon Blue x Vectha) completed the podium in third with a time of 37.42 seconds.