World no.1 Tim Price and Vitali have made history with the highest-ever score in the CCI5* dressage at the Defender Burghley Horse Trials in the UK this morning.

The Kiwi eventing combo started with a bang with a perfect 10 for their first halt and just went from there posting 18.7 penalty points casting aside Chris Burton’s previous Burghley best of 20.1. It is the first time a sub 20 has been scored.

“I was very happy with that,” said Tim. “It’s a good score and one he has always been capable of.”

While in the dressage arena Tim felt the test was possibly a mid-20s effort and was delighted with the final score.

“It’s nice to do it when it counts but now on to the next thing.”

New Zealand’s only other competitor at Burghley this year is Lauren Innes with Global Vision M. The full time financial analyst is on debut at Burghley but has twice completed Badminton.

“It was a frustrating day in the dressage for us,” said Lauren. “Whilst he is so capable he struggles in those grass arenas but there is plenty to jump and so we will regroup and look forward to cross country.”

She says it’s “big and bold and typical Burghley”. “It’s there in front of you to be jumped and the key thing here will definitely be the terrain so will need a fit horse.” And that fits Global Vision M to a tee.

Tonight is the Derek Di Grazia-designed cross country, followed by showjumping on Sunday evening.

Meanwhile, Muzi Pottinger and May B It’s Maisie placed fifth in the Burghley Young Event Horse Five-Year-Old Final.

CLICK HERE FOR LIVE RESULTS
CLICK HERE FOR BURGHLEY TV

THE HORSE DETAILS
Vitali (Holsteiner By Contender out of Noble lady I) – Owned by Alex and Joe Giannamore & Tim Price
Global Fision M (by Flipper D’elle HN, out of Kantussa who is by Cantus) – owned by the Innes Family Syndicate

By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison
Photos by Libby Law/ESNZ