“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.

“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.”