Jonelle Price has hit the lead in the class she has won for the last two years, the CIC3* for eight- and nine-year-olds. Jonelle won this class two years ago on her superstar Faerie Dianimo, and then last year with Cloud Dancer, who is in the ERM CIC3* this year. Again she is in the right spot on her new young star, Ascona M, after dressage, who she describes as ‘real quality’ and ‘beautiful’.
“It was a bit unexpected, actually,” she said after learning she was in the lead. “Ascona M is quite a green horse, it is actually her first time at this level. Obviously, I have a little bit to live up to, having won the last two years here – but look, I feel like I have got a bit of a mountain to climb from hereon in, but at least we are off to a good start.
“She is a good cross-country horse, a little bit low on mileage but the track is very educational here; well designed for young horses to give them a good experience. That was the main reason I decided to bring her and hopefully set her up for next year.”
Jonelle, on 34.6, is just 0.6 points ahead of Pippa Funnell on MGH Grafton Street, who was ridden by Andrew Nicholson before his fall last year.
Andrew Nicholson is 10th on Swallow Springs (41.8) and 23rd on Urmba BK (44.1), Sir Mark Todd on Kiltubrid Rhapsody is on 43.3 and in 16th place.
Tim Price is 21st equal on Danturano K on a score of 44 (see photo at end of this story) and Jock Paget is back in 34th place on Angus Blue with 49.6.
CCI3*
Bettina Hoy leads the dressage in the CCI3* class on Seigneur Medicott. Sitting on 32.9, she is 6.7pen ahead of Harry Meade on the one-eyed Orlando. The best-placed New Zealander in this class is Sir Mark Todd on Obos Colombus, 10th equal with 45.3. Andrew Nicholson, who was first to go on Teseo, is in 23rd spot on 48.5pen. Caroline Powell and Sinatra Frank Baby are on 48.9 in 27th place. Lizzie Brown and Havanna Van’t Castanaehof scored 50.9 in their first class at this level, and are in 35th position.
The CIC3* ERM competition is due to start at 8.30 am (NZT 7.30pm) and is available on live stream on www.eventridermasters.tv
Jonelle is one of the four who can win the overall series. She has Cloud Dancer in the class.
“He is a really eye-catching, fancy horse. He was a little bit wild up at Blair a few weeks ago but hopefully we can get off to a good start tomorrow. It’s absolute class, our line-up on paper, so we will need to be on our game.
“It is the most exciting thing we have seen in eventing, certainly in the time I have been involved. The people behind it are trying to bring new ideas and imagination to the sport. Obviously the money: that’s the first time we have seen anything like it, so it is great that everyone has got behind it. We have followed the series from start to finish. We have been at all six of them, to show our support for the idea – and, of course, to win one would really be icing on the cake.”
To win the series, which comes with a prize fund of £50,000 and £30,000 to the winner,
a complicated calculation is made, as points from four of the six events are taken into account. Luckily Horse & Hound and EquiRatings have worked this out for us. Jonelle needs to be placed better than fourth to have any chance, and for the others in the running (Paul Tapner, Gemma Tattersall and Oliver Townend) not be placed high up. She needs Paul not to finish any better than fourth, Gemma fifth, and Oliver third. If you want a more comprehensive explanation, check out the Horse & Hound’s article on this link.
Jonelle also talked about the amazing venue that Blenheim Palace offers. “We are so lucky in this country, and that is why all us Antipodeans all flock to these parts. If we were in New Zealand, we would be in the middle of a sheep farm with a bit of netting around the fence, so to have a palace as a backdrop is pretty spectacular. England is unique and special in that area and we are so lucky to be here.”
