Jonelle Price leads after cross country

Jonelle Price is leading the Badminton Horse Trials heading into the showjumping as New Zealand looks for a second-straight win at the prestigious equestrian event.

The 37-year-old and her mare, Classic Moet, produced a nearflawless cross-country run to jump from 22nd, where they sat after the dressage, to first yesterday.

She finished just one second over the optimum time, despite a heart-stopping moment in the lake feature on the course when Classic Moet got too close to a jump and twisted awkwardly in the air.

Both rider and horse recovered well, ending with just 0.4 penalty points to move to 28 penalty points overall. They are level on points with England’s Oliver Townshend on Ballaghmor Class, but ahead based on their superior crosscountry time. Townshend also sits fifth on Cooley SRS.

‘‘I was a bit rusty and too strong – it was my fault – so we had to abort,’’ Price said of the error.

‘‘I had been up on the clock until then and we were then 12-15 seconds down, so as soon as we were through the Shogun Hollow, I thought ‘let’s go’.

‘‘She’s some mare, so un- special that she’s special, and she makes me look good. When I first got her, as a 10-year-old, I didn’t think she had enough scope, but she’s your best friend.’’

Evergreen 62-year-old Mark Todd is the next best Kiwi, with two horses in the top 10. Kiltubrid Rhapsody lies sixth and Leonidas II, 10th.

Kiltubrid Rhapsody was second after dressage, but had 10 penalty points during a slow cross-country run.

Kiwi defending champion Andrew Nicholson and Nereo sit 12th after a solid cross-country time.

Price’s husband, Tim, was 14th on Ringwood Sky Boy after the cross-country.