Kiwi Price leads Burghley after cross country
New Zealander Tim Price is at the top of the leaderboard at the prestigious Burghley Horse Trials in England.
Price and his horse Ringwood Sky Boy remained composed as they conquered the challenging cross country course, coming home just outside of the time allowed to add 0.4 penalty points to their tally and finish the day on 27.3.
‘‘I am so pleased with him,’’ Price said. ‘‘He [Ringwood Sky Boy] just ate it up. He showed all his class and experience. I am pretty elated. It was as near to a foot perfect round.
‘‘It comes down to a horse that I know very well and vice versa and perfect conditions. It was just a nice day at the office and they come around every so often. I will take it.’’
With less than a rail across the top four, there will be plenty of pressure in the showjumping.
‘‘He’s not the world’s best showjumper,’’ said Price of Ringwood Sky Boy. ‘‘But he is the world’s greatest trier. I think both my horses have come into this competition as good as you could have hoped.’’
Price and his other mount, Bango, are placed 17th.
Another New Zealander, Andrew Nicholson, who is a five-time Burghley champ, fills fifth spot with Swallow Springs – they were one of just four combinations to come home clear and inside time – on 32.1.
Nicholson is also in eighth place aboard Jet Set IV on 36.2 after adding just 2.4 time penalties and bounding up 21 slots on the leaderboard.
Kiwi legend Sir Mark Todd and NZB Campino are placed 19th. Dan Jocelyn and Dassett Cool Touch sit in 32nd place. Former winner Caroline Powell and On the Brash are in 36th place on 70.7. Debutant Ginny Thompson and Star Nouveau were unlucky to pick up 20 but finished the day in 40th. Overnight leader Todd and Kiltubrid Rhapsody parted company at fence 10 to be eliminated.
Nicholson was pleased with Swallow Springs – a horse many are pegging as his next star.
‘‘He’s young but very classy and always a bit cheeky,’’ Nicholson said. ‘‘He’s a bit like [hat-trick Burghley winner] Avebury too – you’ve got to ride him like you stole him.’’
Sir Mark Todd was happy with NZB Campino’s efforts despite a slight hiccup at The Maltings where he went to turn left but lost his left rein, forcing him to go the long way and adding around 15 seconds to their time.
‘‘It is tough out there,’’ he said. ‘‘The hills certainly have their effect on the horses.’’