Jonelle Price and Classic Moet. Photo – Getty Images.
Jonelle Price has made it into the history books early Monday (NZT) after becoming the first New Zealand woman to win the Badminton Horse Trials.
The 37-year-old was partnered with her mount, Classic Moet. The pair went into the final showjumping round in the lead, after an almost perfect cross-country round.
Price and her horse jumped from 22nd place to second after incurring just a 0.4 penalty points, a near perfect score in the cross-country.
“She is some horse at cross country,” Price said. “There really is no other like her and to show that time and time again is really special.”
Coming into Badminton, Price and Classic Moet only had one run under their belt and she was concerned that they would not be prepared enough for the event. They end up behind the clock after one jump, but they came back quickly to make the time up.
“We were 16 seconds down at one stage,” Price said. “She is some mare and comes into her own a day like that.”
“I owe it all to her.”
Last year’s winners, New Zealander Andrew Nicholson and Nereo, had to withdraw from 12th place after the final horse inspection before the last round.
Oliver Townend from Britain was second and New Zealand’s Mark Todd was in sixth place.
