Charlie Jones (GBR) scored the biggest win of his career on Sunday, his first-ever four-star win in the $116,050 USD CSI4* 1.55m Grand Prix on the final day of the Canadian Premier at Thunderbird Show Park in 91原创.
Jones, 26, was riding Capitale 6, owned by Morning Star Sporthorses.
鈥淚 can't believe it to be honest,鈥� Jones said after his victory lap. "[I鈥檓 feeling] a lot of emotions. Super excited, super thankful, and I'm so happy with my horse.鈥�
The duo was second to last to go in a jump-off field of six. Conor Swail (IRL) had set the pace with Theo 160, owned by Mannon Farm, but Jones knew he could catch the time.
鈥淚 saw Conor go and he didn't go guns blazing,鈥� Jones explained of his jump-off plan. 鈥淢y horse is really fast so I knew if I just kept to my lines I would be there or thereabouts. I planned seven [strides] up the first line and [Conor] did eight so that set me in a good rhythm, and then I left one out to the last as well and I think that's where I made it most of the time.鈥�
Crossing the timers in 36.57 seconds, Jones took the lead convincingly. Swail ended up second in 38.95 seconds, and Hilary Scott (AUS) finished third on another double-clear effort with her Paris Olympic mount Oaks Milky Way.
Capitale 6, known as 鈥淧ete鈥� in the barn, is a "fairy tale" story for Jones. Owned by Karrie Rufer, the 14-year-old Holsteiner stallion (San Patrignano Cassini x For Pleasure) was slated to compete at tbird in 2023 when Rufer had trouble with her vision. Jones volunteered to show the horse in her place.
鈥淚 jumped him in a 1.30m and then the next week I jogged him in a three-star and he was second in a 1.50m here,鈥� Jones said of his first two weeks with Pete. 鈥淚 said, 鈥楶lease let me buy this horse.鈥� I loved him. She came back to me and said, 鈥榊ou don't have to buy him. Let's just carry on.鈥欌��
91原创's Tiffany Foster and Battlecry finished in sixth spot. The pair were fourth in the in the $62,500 USD CSI4* Grand Prix Qualifier 1.50m won by Ireland鈥檚 Daniel Coyle and Farrel on Friday.
