Jonelle Price’s CCI5* winner at Les Etoiles de Pau, Grappa Nera, first showed her true promise as winner of the British 5-Year-Old Championship at Osberton International with Alex Postolowsky in 2016
The Dutch-bred black mare was at that time owned by Judy Bradwell and Alex had fallen in love with her at first sight
“She was like two boards clapped together” Alex told us in our interview at Osberton 2016 “Scrawny looking but her legs - she looked like she was on air! I remember thinking wow, she’ll be lovely for me (as I’m not very big)”
It turns out that Grappa Nera was also perfect for another, not very tall, rider in Jonelle Price and, along with the innate talent, the mare’s character has remained pretty similar throughout too
“She’s very affectionate” said Alex “But she’s pretty bossy too! We often think she thinks she’s a stallion! You look at her and think what an angelic, delicate little girl but she’s quite pushy and quite opinionated!”
Alex Postolowsky talks about Grappa Nera at Osberton 2016
Alex and Grappa Nera went on to have multiple wins before Jonelle took over the ride in 2018. One of the attractions, apart from being obviously talented and a good size for Jonelle, may have been that Grappa Nera is sired by Karandasj, who had already produced some very good eventing progeny including Tim Price’s 5* horse Wesko
“I always thought she was a good mare and would come good in the long run, but it hasn’t been the most straightforward journey” admitted Jonelle, after winning the CCI5* at Pau
“She is not the most relaxed, so dressage is difficult, but she has never lacked the talent or ability. She has got that real determined diehard attitude which often comes good at 5* but poses a few issues along the way.”
She certainly has come good at 5* …..
Jonelle Price and Grappa Nera on their way to a win at Les Etoiles de Pau 2022 (above) and with Alex at Osberton 2016 (below)
