Tbird Weekend: Jones Takes first 4*; Farrel Doubles Down

Charlie Jones and Capitale 6 Charge to Victory in CSI4* Grand Prix

Charlie Jones (GBR) scored the biggest win of his career in the CSI4* 1.55m Grand Prix on the final day of the Canadian Premier at Thunderbird Show Park. The 26-year-old rider has been building a partnership with Capitale 6, owned by Morning Star Sporthorses, since 2023. His efforts paid off Sunday, topping an impressive field to take the top spot.

“This is my first four-star Grand Prix win,” Jones said after his victory lap. “I can’t believe it to be honest. [I’m feeling] a lot of emotions. Super excited, super thankful, and I’m so happy with my horse.”

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.

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“I saw Conor go and he didn’t go guns blazing,” Jones explained of his jump-off plan. “My 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.”

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 “Pete” 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.

“I 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,” Jones said of his first two weeks with Pete. “I said, ‘Please let me buy this horse.’ I loved him. She came back to me and said, ‘You don’t have to buy him. Let’s just carry on.’”

Rufer said it was an easy decision.

“I like the idea of allowing a horse to achieve the most they can possibly achieve,” she explained. “When I saw their chemistry, I thought, ‘I can’t stop this.’ Charlie is one of the nicest, hardest working people I’ve ever met. He’s always doing the right thing for the horse. And they love each other.”

Pete took Jones to his career first Grand Prix win in 2024, a CSI2* 1.45m win at Del Mar Horse Park in August. On Sunday, they achieved a new personal best finish at tbird.

“It’s changed my life,” he continued of the partnership, which has taken him into five-star and World Cup-qualifying action over the past two years. “I’m so grateful to her and everyone at Morning Star for allowing me to do this. [Karrie] is so optimistic and so encouraging; she’s a pleasure to ride for.”

It helps that Pete is not only talented, but enthusiastic partner. “When I jumped him big for the first time, I was like, ‘Wow, this horse has so much go,’ and I just loved him from that point,” Jones shared. “He’s just the most incredible character. He’s like a dog. He’s just awesome and I love him.”

Jones will not return for next week’s Odlum Brown BC Open. His horses will have a week off before the Spruce Meadows Summer Series. But, he says, tbird holds a special place in his heart.

“Honestly, this is my favourite show out of every show I’ve ever been to,” he said of tbird. “I love the show so much. They’re just so accommodating. The footing is always great. They just make it a good show.”

And, of course, so does Capitale 6.

“I’m so grateful to this horse. This horse has changed my life. So everything goes to him, really.”

$116,050 USD CSI4* Grand Prix 1.55m
Horse / Rider / Nationality / Owner / Faults/Time

1. Capitale 6 / Charlie Jones / GBR / Morning Star Sporthorses, LLC / 0/0/36.57
2. Theo 160 / Conor Swail / IRL / Mannon Farm / 0/0/38.95
3. Oaks Milky Way / Hilary Scott / AUS / Hilary Scott / 0/0/39.24
4. Baretino PS / Carly Campbell-Cooper / CAN / John Jamieson / 0/0/39.72
5. Panter JVH / Nicole Walker / CAN / Nicole Walker / 0/0/41.15

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A man jumping a bay horse over a fence at tbird.

Daniel Coyle and Farrel. (tbird/Kim Gaudry Photography)

Farrel Doubles Down in CSI4* Grand Prix Qualifier 1.50m

Daniel Coyle doesn’t ride for second place, as is evident this week at the 2025 Canadian Premier. The Irish Olympian has now taken two international victories with Farrel, owned by Ariel Grange. The duo snagged both Wednesday’s CSI4* 1.45m Speed and Friday’s CSI4* Grand Prix Qualifier 1.50m at Thunderbird Show Park.

“He was great today,” Coyle, ranked 14th in the world, reflected on his horse’s performance. The Irish Olympian qualified both his mounts for course designer Gregory Bodo’s short course.

“I was a little bit unlucky and disappointed with Incredible; I had one down. He actually was faster in the jump-off, but I knew I had Farrel later in the class, so I could concentrate a bit more on having a more correct round,” he continued.

“With Farrel, generally speaking, if you ride it correctly, he’s going to jump it correctly. And he really loves the grass here, so I knew I had a good chance. If I could just do everything right it would all pay off.”

Coyle clocked in at 34.96 seconds with only one pair remaining, and he was fairly confident he’d done enough in the 14-horse jump-off. One round later, it was confirmed. Coyle took the win. Kara Chad (CAN) finished second with Igor GPH, and Kyle King (USA) slotted into third with Odysseus, owned by Patricia Vasey.

“I can’t say enough good things about him,” Coyle beamed of the 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Cardento 933 x Stakkato). “He’s one of my top horses at the moment, and he’s for sure one of the most [special] of all my horses. I’m lucky to have him. I’d lost him [due to injury] for a few years and didn’t think he was coming back, but it’s great to have him back.”

With a later draw, Coyle got to examine the short course and see where he could make up time. A late decision leave out clinched the winning time.

“I think the first line everybody was doing the same strides,” he explained. “The second line, there was a risk to be taken there, whether it was eight or nine [strides], but on Farrel I thought he can be handy enough that I didn’t need to do anything crazy. But then, at the end of the course, I thought, ‘Maybe I’m not quick enough,’ so after the vertical at number 11, I did seven strides around the corner. I, for sure, was the only person to do it and was a bit of a risk, and it paid off. I’m pretty sure that’s where I won my class.”

The week isn’t over just yet for Farrel. Coyle plans to pilot the speedy bay in Sunday’s CSI4* Grand Prix 1.55m. Farrel will also step into Nations Cup action during the Odlum Brown BC Open.

“He goes to Spruce Meadows after this, and then we’ll see,” Coyle shared about his plans for the horse. “If he’s performing like this, he’ll probably go to Europe after Spruce Meadows and then come back and do some of the Major League shows at the end of the year.”

Winning aside, Coyle is thrilled to be back in Langley, where he feels like he’s part of the tight-knit community.

“It’s been very lucky for me every time I come,” he said of tbird. “It’s a lovely show, and the people are very welcoming. Ariel and I have a very good relationship with everybody here, so it’s nice. It’s like a home show for us, and it’s been very lucky too, so we really like it here.”

Coyle took the 1/ST FEI Leading Rider Award at the CSI4* Canadian Premier, earning a $5,000 bonus for the most points earned in FEI competition throughout the week. The new rider incentive will be awarded every FEI week at Thunderbird Show Park in 2025, culminating with the 1/ST Top Overall FEI Rider $10k Bonus in September.

$62,500 CSI4* Grand Prix Qualifier 1.50m
Horse / Rider / Nationality / Owner / Faults/Time

1. Farrel / Daniel Coyle / IRL / Ariel Grange / 0/0/34.96
2. Igor GPH / Kara Chad / CAN / Kara Chad / 0/0/35.51
3. Odysseus / Kyle King / USA / Patricia Vasey / 0/0/36.17
4. Battlecry / Tiffany Foster / CAN / Artisan Farms, LLC / 0/0/37.34
5. Django II / Katie Laurie / AUS / Katie Laurie / 0/0/37.85

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A woman on a horse during a presentation

Hayley Mercer (CAN) and Crown Royal. (tbird/Kim Gaudry Photography)

Hayley Mercer and Crown Royal Rule MarBill Hill U25 1.40m

Hayley Mercer has had nearly a decade with Crown Royal, and it’s apparent when watching them together. The pair effortlessly jumped one of only two clear rounds in Sunday’s MarBill Hill U25 1.40m, powered by Solaris Equestrian and protected by Western Pacific Emergency Response, to close out the Canadian Premier.

She sealed the deal in the jump-off doing what she knows works best with the Canadian Sport Horse gelding—let him gallop.

“He’s in his prime so it was really just using his stride to our advantage,” she explained. “He’s a big guy so he has a big stride and we’re on this big open field so I just tried to use his gallop and be efficient. I really let his stride do the work for me.”

Mercer crossed the timers in 42.42 seconds to place ahead of Friday’s U25 winners Reagan Tomb and Marble Bridge B, the only other clear round over the first course. Olivia Stephenson and Lovejoy JK SR took third on just two time faults.

Crown Royal, aka Gavin, is now 14, and came into Mercer’s string almost by accident. She was horse shopping in Calgary when she stopped at Shauna Cook’s Carousel Ridge and purchased the horse as a 5-year-old sales prospect.

“We weren’t even meant to try him,” she elaborated. “He was supposed to be a flip. We were going to sell him after a year and he just kept getting better and better. He had so much potential. My coaches said, ‘You can’t sell him; he’s just too good.’ Now we’re here. He’s mine forever now.”

For the first two years of his career, Mercer showed Gavin in the equitation, then progressed into the jumpers and eventually moved up into the U25 and FEI divisions.

“I was 16 when I got him, so we’ve grown together and he’s just said yes to everything I’ve asked him to do. He’s been the best partner ever. He’s my soulmate,” she said of Crown Royal.

Though they’ve already jumped into the international levels, taking ribbons in CSI3* competition, this season Mercer, 24, is focused on the U25 division as she’s about to age out. She aims to put her best foot forward to capture top results since she has such faith in her partnership with Gavin.

“I have him in such a good spot, so the past few years I focused on getting faster and more competitive down in Wellington and on the east coast,” she explained. “I wanted to come back up here to my hometown, my favourite venue, and really focus on being competitive on him.”

Competing all across the continent has allowed Mercer to refine her mental approach.

“I’d say this sport is more of a mental game,” she said. “It’s something I always work on. I have to take a step back and get a different perspective when things are going wrong because it’s so easy to get tunnel vision. It’s all you do all, six days a week. I have to remember why I love the sport, which is because of this horse.”

$15,000 MarBill Hill U25 1.40m
Horse / Rider / Nationality / Owner / Faults/Time

1. Crown Royal / Hayley Mercer / CAN / Hayley Mercer / 0/4/42.42
2. Marble Bridge B / Reagan Tomb / USA / Greg Tomb / 0/14/64.88
3. Lovejoy JK SR / Olivia Stephenson / CAN / Olivia Stephenson / 2/81.58
4. Connecticut / Amanda Sinnett / CAN / Amanda Sinnett / 2/81.67
5. WH Foxxy Cleopatra RC / Jessica Raiwet / CAN / Jessica Raiwet / 4/74.02

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Tracey Epp and Heartvit ZH Dominate Again in Derby

A woman riding a bay horse over a hunter fence.

Tracey Epp and Heartvit ZH. (tbird/Kady Dane Photography)

It’s not too often that the first horse to go in the derby ends up winning, but it’s also not often that that horse is Heartvit ZH. The grand prix show jumper turned hunter extraordinaire carried Tracey Epp to another victory Saturday of the Canadian Premier in the Amy Brattebo Real Estate Derby 3’6”.

Up against top pairs, Epp was nervous about going first, but she also knew she could rely on her partner, who never puts a foot wrong. They duplicated their success from the April Season Opener, when they won the very same class.

“It was nice starting off in April with the win,” she reflected. “I had my plan and stuck to it, and he’s so reliable; he’s not spooky and he’s good at turning, so as long as I don’t make a mistake, he’s great.”

Heartvit ZH, an 11-year-old Czech Warmblood stallion (Heartbreak ZH x Caesar), jumped his final FEI class at Thunderbird Show Park in the fall of 2023. While he was great at that job, Epp thought she’d try something new with the hunters, and it ended up sticking.

“He was a great FEI horse,” she continued. “I jumped him up to the three-stars and he was super competitive and always tried his hardest. As a breeding stallion I thought we should promote him to make some hunter babies as well. People asked if he did the hunters, so I thought, ‘We’ll do it once.’ So we did it and he was champion and then people thought we should do derby finals, so we used all of last year to do that. He was really good at it so he’s a busy man breeding a lot of future hunter babies. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

It seems all Heartvit does is win now that he’s a hunter. Scoring a 104 as the first to go, all other entries knew they had a high bar to try to top. At the close of the class, no one had gotten within a point and a half of their score. Chaplin, owned by Jan O’Brien, took second with Sara Peterson on a score of 102.5, and St Martin’s Lane was third with Chloe Mache aboard on a score of 102.

Heartvit isn’t too upset about his change in lifestyle, according to Epp.

“He honestly is happy doing anything,” she shared. “He loves to eat, so he likes the hunter diet better than the jumper diet. He’s such a laid back guy I think he suits the hunters but if I ask him to go jump a grand prix tomorrow he would too. He’s just got a heart of gold and not a mean bone in his body.”

While there are already countless Heartvit foals around the world, Epp hopes to get one of her own someday.

“He was from a stud farm in Europe and he bred 100 foals a year,” she explained. “I’ve gone back to Europe and I’ve tried a lot of them and they’re exactly like him. They look like him and have the same attitude. I just don’t have any mares but I’m hoping to get one along the way so I can have one of his babies.”

The remainder of the year will look similar to last year in terms of goals for Heartvit, so he seems up to the task.

“My plan is to continue doing the Canadian hunter derby series because I think it’s so fun and they do such a nice job,” she said of their 2025 plans. “Then I’ll take him out east to Toronto again for Derby Finals.”

Amy Brattebo Real Estate Derby 3’6”
Horse / Rider / Owner / Score

1. Heartvit ZH / Tracey Epp / Tracey Epp / 104
2. Chaplin / Sara Peterson / Jan O’Brien / 102.5
3. St Martin’s Lane / Chloe Mache / Chloe Mache / 102
4. Octane / Kaidyn Griggs / Paige Wagter / 101
5. Silver Lining / Chelsea McNeill / Cindy Ferrie / 100

Full results here.