Prices shine with top rides in North Carolina

NEW Zealand’s golden couple of eventing proved their worth yesterday at the FEI World Equestrian Games in North Carolina, Equestrian Sports New Zealand reported on its website.

Tim and Jonelle Price were clear and inside time. Tim and Cekatinka moved up three spots to sixth place on 27.2 penalty points at the end of the day, and Jonelle aboard Classic Moet jumped from 30th to 12th on 30 penalty points.

And while the Prices — with Tim at No 2 in the world and Jonelle at No 5 — shone for the Kiwis, teammates Sir Mark Todd and Blyth Tait fared worse.

Tait and Dassett Courage were the trailblazers for the New Zealand team but, by Tait’s own admission, had a day that resembled his worst nightmare. The two were eliminated mid field.

‘‘I am not quite sure what happened out there,’’ said Tait.

Todd and McClaren had a cheeky runout at the same combination that bothered Tait, and sit on 69 penalty points in 58th.

‘‘It is actually pretty tough out there,’’ Todd said.

Individual rider Dan Jocelyn was rapt with the efforts of Grovine de Reve, who came home clear with time penalties to finish the day on 46 penalty points in 43rd spot.

‘‘I said to him ‘this is going to be tough Reve. You are going to have to dig deep’, and he did.’’

But for the Kiwis, the day belonged to the Prices.

Tim was fairly bursting with pride at the efforts of his ‘‘super wee mare’’ when he finished the course.

‘‘She is such a classic little jumper with her technique. She stays low, very focused and is nimble.’’

Jonelle Price finished with a grin from ear to ear just as fast as she started aboard Badmintonwinning mare Classic Moet.

‘‘In a funny way I feel more pressure on me riding her because I know how good she is.’’