Britain’s Holly Smith and Fruselli opened international jumping competition at UK’s Royal Windsor Horse Show on Friday with a hometown win.
The British rider and nine-year-old KWPN chestnut lay down a blistering track in the Manama Speed Stakes, stopping the clock at 26.11 seconds. Bertram Allen and GK Casper, the only other combination to squeak in under the 27 second mark, were half a second behind, crossing the timers in 26.81. Little did the Irish rider know, he’d land in the runner-up spot in the afternoon’s 5* as well.
But Allen wasn’t the only one unearthing new facts today. Here’s what our social media stalking revealed about Smith and her stunning chestnut.
1. Fruselli is a stallion
You might have been confused because his FEI horse details page lists him as “male” and his castration record as “unknown.”
2. Smith has brought the horse along since (International) Day One
Smith and Fruselli made their FEI debut in October 2017 at a CSI1* in Oliva, Spain and jumped clear in three out of three classes. She’s the only rider on his FEI record.
3. Fruselli enjoys long gallops around the farm
So says his rider.
4. And is always down for a good massage
Aren’t we all.
5. He was a “professional pet” for a spell
After a full season in 2017, Fruselli’s 2018 show calendar was cut short in August for reasons undocumented. He returned to FEI competition in February 2019 and earned a second place finish in his first international 1.40m appearance back, a CSI3* in Vejer de la Frontera, Spain.
6. Friday’s win is Fruselli’s first 5* victory
And it was a decisive one at that.
7. But it was always in the cards…
Or, at least, Vanessa Alford believed so. She predicted a winning record for the speedy chestnut back in February.
8. Fruselli is also a type of pasta
Just kidding. It is a documented last name, however. According to ancestor.com, New York had the highest population of Fruselli families in 1920, including one Italia Fruselli, which we’re told is a person and not a gluten-based food product. These two things are not related.
Fruselli is not currently on the start list for tomorrow’s 5* classes at Royal Windsor Horse Show. But Smith is! Watch all the action in the Castle Arena on HN LIVE! — brought to you by Thunderbird Show Park. (Canada and USA only.)