New Zealand eventing team notches Nations’ Cup win in Germany

WELLINGTON: The New Zealand eventing team captured another slice of history overnight when they notched their first Nations’ Cup win in the CHIO Aachen.

It was just the second time the Germans have been beaten in the prestigious class on home ground.

It was a real team effort from Tim Price aboard Cekatinka, Clarke Johnstone on Balmoral Sensation, Sir Mark Todd with Kiltubrid Rhapsody and Blyth Tait on Havanna, with all four finishing.

Price worked his way steadily up the leaderboard through the three phases to finish in third place individually, with Johnstone fifth, Todd 13th and Tait 25th. Dan Jocelyn and Grovine de Reve, who were competing as individuals, were 27th.

The team had been second after the dressage, but slipped to third at the end of the showjumping, only to come storming home and take the victory thanks to superb crosscountry riding.

The Kiwis finished on 112.9 penalty points, with France second on 130.5 and Sweden in third on 146.3.

Host Germany had to settle for fifth on 206.6 after Julia Krajewski was eliminated aboard Samourai du Thot, who had been sitting in second coming into the crucial final phase. However, Krajewski continued to win the individual crown aboard her second mount, Chipmunk FRH, who had led from the start.

Tim Price said it was a great result for the team.

‘‘We executed a teamdriven plan,’’ he said.

‘‘We just wanted to be consistent through all three phases. All of us Kiwis worked cohesively very, very well. I am super happy for this and excited going forward. It is a great Nations’ Cup victory for us Kiwis, especially here in Aachen.’’