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Leonora Smee’s blog: it was an emotional moment that words just cannot describe

Playlist 20 Videos How to improve your horse's rhythm and balance with polework 00:49 Leonora Smee’s blog: these are a few of my favourite things (I wouldn't be without them) 03:21 Leonora Smee's blog: it was an emotional moment that words just cannot describe 07:10 Celebrating passion, commitment and free ice-creams in stable staff week 01:30 Leonora Smee's blog: hoping my luck continues 03:37 Leonora Smee's blog: Polos are key 09:59 Cheeky horse steals the limelight from Martin Clunes 02:51 'We're smitten': watch as two-week-old donkey foal wins hearts 00:36 Watch team of rescuers save cob from serious injury 00:27 If only they could shop: watch ponies and other animals help out at equine store 02:29 Leonora Smee's blog: How is this going to help me in competition? 04:09 Tim Price’s top tips for your first cross-country school of the year 01:33 Michael Eilberg: teaching your horse to rein back 05:03 The killer turn that won the H&H Foxhunter Championship at HOYS 05:19 Ben Way's Burghley blog: I need to change my name from Ben to Bettina 03:50 William Fox-Pitt walks the Burghley course: ‘There’s no point flapping and hoping’ 03:55 Why is Epsom such a challenge? Walk the course with a former Derby winner 05:02 Riders' first reactions to the 2016 Badminton cross-country course 03:06 Ian Stark walks the toughest fences at Badminton Horse Trials 2016 03:31 Walk the Badminton 2016 cross-country course 21:51

  • The Longines Global Champions Tour Monaco event (23-25 June) takes place in probably the world’s most iconic showjumping location. We were in Port d’Hercule, Monte Carlo with the Prince’s Palace overlooking the ring from one side and the super yachts viewing from the other.

    The ring is one of the tightest on the tour, nestled into part of the Formula 1 track requiring total control all of the time — there is never a moment to relax on a Monaco round. Nevertheless, this is certainly one of my favourite competitions.

    We kicked off with a fourth place in Friday’s 1.40m speed class, but it was on Sunday in the 1.45m Grand Prix that my horse, Waltons Top Flight excelled.

    Nineteen riders took on the challenging course set by Luc Musette. After round one I was lucky enough to be one of just two clears, resulting in a head to head jump off with Lili Hymowitz from the United States.

    I was first to go in the jump off and set the target with a clear in 33.03 seconds. Then I had to anxiously wait as Lili took on the jump off. She went clear too and as she crossed the finishing line I looked to see the clock telling me her time was 33.58 seconds! This gave me my first two-star grand prix win!

    It was an emotional moment that words just cannot describe. With the iconic setting, the sun shining, my parents among the spectators, so much wonderful support from the spectators, all in a location which has always been special to me — it was simply a dream come true!
    Leonora

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