Find out more about the pint-sized PSG champion from the Winter Dressage Championships 2020 at Hartpury.
Jayne Turney’s Cruz III made history at the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships 2020. The 14.2hh gelding became the first pony to land the Magic prix st georges (PSG) winter national title when he scored 70.79% to top the leaderboard.
“He just tries so hard for me, and always gives 110%,” said an emotional Jayne, who trains with her friend, Charlotte Dujardin. “Charlotte’s going to laugh at me for crying!”
Charlotte previously owned the 11-year-old by Caesar 171, but has now given her share to Jayne.
“The more you challenge him, the more he gives you,” said Jayne of the pony, known as Tom. “He covers the ground like a horse and he has so many gears. He doesn’t ride like a pony at all, and his big character more than makes up for his size. He thinks he’s 16.2hh and off to the Olympics!
“The highlights in his test today were probably the pirouettes, the extensions and the changes. He bounces in his changes and we have had to teach him to take his power forward. But he has so much reach and scope, and he is so clever.”
The pair are now training at grand prix.
“His passage is improving and he nearly has the piaffe,” said Jayne. “I can’t wait to have a bash at grand prix with him.”
‘He was even more of a pro than yesterday’
Kate Cowell finished a close second in the PSG riding yesterday’s advanced medium gold champion, Rayban. She co-owns the 11-year-old bay gelding by Royal Duruto with Jonny Clarke-West.
“As soon as I took off his brushing boots today he was ready to go. He was even more of a pro than yesterday,” said Kate, who scored 70.3%.
“It’s such a treat to have a horse who is so proactive. He loves his job and he smiled all the way round.
“His canter has always been amazing, but his trot has really improved during lockdown. We have been working on piaffe-passage and it has given him more lift.”
Jess Bennett and JB Dukaat completed the PSG podium, filling third spot with 69.12%.
Keep up with all of the action from the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships on the Horse & Hound website via our H&H Plus service with full reports from each winter championship class, plus a gallery of winners from the Petplan Equine Area Festival Championships.
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