Charlie Jones (GBR) and Montserrat OS. Photo ©tbird/Kim Gaudry
Over the last two weeks at Thunderbird Show Park, Charlie Jones (GBR) and 8-year-old Montserrat OS have been mightily close to victory.
The pair finished second in the U25 division at last week's Summer Fort Welcome, and at the Summer Fort Classic, they were runner-up in the Diamond Valley Ranch U10 Young Horse competition.
In their last class of August, the pair broke through with a victory in the MarBill Hill U25 1.40m, besting a seven-horse jump-off. Jones praised his horse as he exited the ring, referencing the fact that his mount hadn't touched a pole at the entire show.
Their winning time was 39.18 seconds. Jones' student Olivia Stephenson (CAN) finished second with Deister Z (41.95s), while George Knight and Ecolano vs Romano finished third (4/38.63s).
"I absolutely love him," Jones said of his mount. "He's all class. He's so careful, and he just jumps whatever's in front of him."
Jones and his partner Bretton Chad acquired Montserrat OS at the beginning of the gelding’s 7-year-old year. While shorter than 16.2h, the striking black horse has displayed a heart far larger than the height of his withers.
“He’s absolutely tiny, but he’s like a lion. He goes in [the ring] and he just pulls himself up, and he’s actually very strong sometimes,” Jones described. “So he really makes up all the lines. For me, he is one of the most fun horses to ride.”
With an impressive two weeks under their belts, Jones will now look to step Montserrat OS up to more international classes.
“I’d like to find a good two-star schedule for him. He’s about ready for a ranking class or a CSI2* Grand Prix, so I want to do that next,” he said. “But I think in the near future, we’ll come back here in September and go from there.”
MarBill Hill U25 1.40m Horse / Rider / Nationality / Owner / Faults / Time
1. Montserrat OS / Charlie Jones / GBR / Bretton Chad / 0/0 39.18 2. Deister Z / Olivia Stephenson / CAN / Olivia Stephenson / 0/0 41.95 3. Ecolano vs Romano / Georgia Knight / CAN / Georgia Knight / 0/4 38.63 4. Gutascha / Stella Chernoff / CAN / Stump Lake Ranch and Cattle Co Ltd / 0/4 39.11 5. Onyx / Georgia Knight / CAN / Joelle Froese / 0/4 40.98 6. Naxos 27 / Dylan Jordan / CAN / Miriam Ameli / 0/4 41.1 7. Gernice van de Postbaan / Danielle Vahdat / USA / Danielle Vahdat / 0/4 45.02 8. Ielinea JTL / Jaydan Stettner / CAN / Jaydan Stettner / 4 80.07 9. Laviata / Cashelle Levasseur / CAN / Gerard Developments / 4 84.99 10. Diamantina vh Scheefkasteel Z / Samantha Smith / Y & R Sporthorses LLC / 8 84.13
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