Holly Smith achieved an impressive double victory at the CSI 3* in Harthill-Bolesworth, near Liverpool. Riding Nike van het Singraven, the British rider secured her first international win in a Grand Prix qualifying event and her first Longines World Ranking.
In the jump-off, Smith completed a clear round in 36.91 seconds, ahead of his compatriot Jack Whitaker. Whitaker, riding Skyfall OS, also posted a double clear round in 37.77 seconds. Whitaker's horse had won a 1.55m class at the CSI 5* in Windsor a few weeks earlier, confirming its potential.
Great Britain completed the podium with Olivia Sponer and Bingo du Château (38.60 seconds), a Selle Français who cleared the jump-off gates. No French pairs were entered in this competition.
Smith, a former team bronze medalist at the 2019 European Championships in Rotterdam, has thus solidified her status as a rising star. This victory marks a turning point in her career at the highest international level of show jumping.