Capitaine de Hus Z (Alvin) and Chilli’s Midnight Star (Ollie) both jogged this morning and then Jonelle had to wait until the end of the 4*S cross country for the 4*L showjumping to start at around 1.45.
Packing the truck, entertaining Otis and Abel and other commitments idled away the time but it still seemed a long enough wait. When the track was opened for walking it became clear it was a proper conclusion to the test with roll backs, dog leg lines and a very tight time.
By the end of the class just 5 combinations went clear in time which shows the severity of the test and when Ollie tipped fence 2, which was hard to get straight for, and added 4 faults he still rose up the order for eventual 6th spot. Ollie has been brilliant this week and has firmly re established himself as one of the lynchpins of Jonelle’s string. No one is happier about that than his owners, Nikki Axon and Mel Halstead and since Nikki also bred him, a double bonus. They have never lost faith in Ollie and they are so super supportive of Jonelle and, most of all, they always make it fun.
Jonelle went in on Alvin with not a fence in hand to retain the win and it is a long time since we have seen Lady Luck on Jonelle’s side….she deserted her in Paris in July 2024 and we have not been able to tempt her back. Alvin started off jumping like the superstar he is and all seemed well until the very last line when they seemed to have a difference of opinion but Alvin is a careful horse and he relinquished the advantage to Jonelle in the last stride and jumped the oxer beautifully. That’s definitely where they picked up their 0.4 of a time but it was good enough to take the win and how sweet that was for Jonelle.
Shout out to owners David and Karrie Thomson in California, they have backed Jonelle since they gave McClaren to her when Toddy retired and she has given them some great days but she was delighted to give them a win.
And it was very much a family affair as Otis and Abel accompanied Rosie into the arena for the prize giving and then onto the podium with Jonelle. Barefoot kids, the NZ National anthem playing, Mum Lesley watching from the collecting ring and a sunny day in Scotland. It doesn’t really get much better than that for a kid from the South Island who is still living the dream some 22 years after she first landed in the UK with Mazetto (Eric). It would have been nice for Tim to be there but he is on day 2 of 3 at Wellington International and they will both be doing dressage tomorrow at around 7.30 am!
Days like this are so rare..shout out to the entire Chedington team who work so hard to make it all happen and as we enter into Crazy September and Three Day October it’s the good days that give every one a boost.
But most of all it’s just so good to see Jonelle so happy to be on top of the podium again! Its been along old wait since Pau in 2022 and hopefully the start of a really great Autumn season.
All photo credits to Nikki Axon
