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Day Two: CSI5*

Britain’s Laura Renwick lived up to her reputation as the ‘speed queen’ of the jumping circuit, by winning the first CSI 5* of Day Two at CHI AL SHAQAB 2016. The gutsy rider pulled off a sterling performance of pace and precision to overcome 23 other riders around a course set against the clock. Her extraordinary time of 59.89 seconds was enough to beat Italy’s leading rider Emanuele Gaudiano into second place by almost five seconds. Saudi rider Abdullah Alsharbatly, who continues to enjoy a successful tournament, secured third place.
Renwick has been knocking on the door of British team selection for several years, and in 2015 she racked up an impressive 60 wins in Jumping classes around the world. She will be hoping her performance at CHI AL SHAQAB 2016 will be strong enough to impress selectors ahead of the Rio Olympics, and today’s performance will certainly improve her chances.

Renwick largely trains her own charges from scratch, and this helps form a strong and trusting bond between horse and rider. She is trained by her husband John Renwick, a former international show jumper himself, with whom she runs a successful equestrian business.
Renwick has been competing at the top of this sport for seven years and, unusually for elite level athletes, came to prominence in equestrianism after childbirth.

The competition involved one circuit of 12 fences measuring 1m45 or above. The fastest round with the least number of jumping faults is declared the winner.