Release date: 23/06/2011 |    

The Global Champions Tour events to date has been all about the top international riders and horse.  Today began the first inclusion of pony jumping within the program of events at the Global Champions Tour in Monaco.

Realising that the young riders of today will be the senior riders of tomorrow Mr Masoni has partnered with the Global Champions Tour in Monaco to provide an opportunity for young riders on exceptional ponies to get a taste of the high life of show jumping.

Today’s opening class was won by 15 year old Julie de Pelsmaeker from Geel in Belgium riding The Colour of Money.  Julie is trained by Neil Turkengton and has had past successes in the Pony Grand Prix in Arezzo (ITA) Morselle and Lomel (BEL) at 1.35m level.  Simon Morsinkhof  (11years) from Belgium was in second place with his 1.42 pony Afelio Van de Kerkenbulk.

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Winner Julie Pelsmaeker:  I have been riding the coloured pony for only 4 months.  This pony won the European Championships 3 years ago with George Whitaker.  When I won the Grand Prix in Arezzo, Mr Masoni invited me to compete at this very prestigious event at the Global Champions Tour.

On the show

I am very privileged to have won the first ever Masoni Pony event.  The show is set in a really nice place and is really well organized. It is great to mix it with the best international riders.

Runner-up Simon Morsinkhof:  I have been riding this pony since the winter.  This is my second international show.  I also rode at Bonheim where I placed second in two classes.  Now here today I am second again, so I am going to have to try harder tomorrow.

On the show

It is great that I get to ride at this show.  My sisters normally get to go to the top shows but they have exams at the moment so I get to go.  The show is very nice and I also get to see all the international riders compete.  I think that you can learn so much from this.

Photo credit Stefano Grasso/GCT