Two very different horses cleared 2m 12cm to win a thrilling puissance at Bolesworth. H&H spoke to both riders
It was little and large in the Saturday night (8 August) puissance at Bolesworth, as a 17.3hh and a compact 16hh shared the spoils.
Elliot Smith on the rangy Flamboyant and Louise Saywell on new ride Edgarrento cleared 2m 12cm in the fifth round to be crowned joint winners at the British Showjumping national championships.
Louise, who has been riding the 11-year-old for four weeks, went into the class with no expectations.
“I don’t know if he’s jumped one before but he’d been running a bit and we thought it might back him off, that’s the only reason we went in it,” she said. “He’s jumped some big grands prix, and we were sent him to see what we could do with him; he’s got all the jump.”
Spectators may have noticed Edgarrento was wearing what appeared to be a fly mask but was a close-fitting hood.
“It might be a complete myth but it’s said it makes them more easy and comfortable,” Louise said, adding that the fabric contains titanium liquid. Asked whether it made a difference, she grinned, and nodded towards the ring.
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“It seemed to!” she said. “He loves his job, and is always super up for it. It depends what happens [with Covid] but we’ll look at doing some grands prix with him – and after that performance, a few more puissances!”
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Elliot caught eyes as in his first three rounds, he brought the big gelding back to a walk on the turn before the wall.
“We did it at his first puissance here last year and it seemed to work,” he said. “So we’ve stuck with it, but he also likes a bit of change, which is why I didn’t do it on the last rounds.
“For a big horse, he’s quite sensitive, and loves his Polos, and he’s a big jumper but also really sweet; he’s our big friendly giant.”
Two British showjumpers and their grey rides cleared a massive 7ft 1inch (2.18m) to become joint HOYS puissance 2018 winners
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.
