Tim Price and Ascona M have finished sixth this morning in the CCI5*-L at Les 5 Etoiles de Pau in France after a lovely clear round in the showjumping.

The world no.3 was very pleased with the 11-year-old grey mare who this year also won the CCI5*-L at Luhmuhlen. The Kiwi combo had finished on a score of 44.5 penalty points. “She jumped a brilliant round in the showjumping,” said Tim. “It is a little bit hard to manage at times with her exuberance but it is what I have come to expect of her and she does stay very clean at her fences and has a desire to jump a clear round.”

The finish went a small way towards salvaging an “extremely disappointing” weekend with Wesko who had stumbled at the last water complex during the cross country, unseating Tim and being eliminated. However, Tim said both horses are well, “which is the main thing”.

He had high praise for the New Zealand team who had travelled with him and James Avery for the event. “The support team did a great job. Both the horses trotted up really well this morning and both jumping clear is testament to that as well as (showjumping coach) Luis’ (Alvarez Cervera) input which was integral.”

James and Mr Sneezy at their first CCI5*-L start, had placed 17th on a score of 54.3 penalty points. Brit Tom McEwen and Toledo de Kerser had led from the dressage to take the win on 25.7 penalty points with Aussies Chris Burton aboard Quality Purdey and Shane Rose on Virgil in second and third on 33.8 and 34.6 respectively. Just five combinations went clear and inside time in the showjumping this morning, with 27 completing the event.

ESNZ high performance eventing manager Graeme Thom extended thanks to New Zealand’s owners and sponsors as the European season drew to a close while wishing all the best for those Kiwi eventers based in the United States and New Zealand as they continued their seasons

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THE HORSE DETAILS:
Wesko – owned by The Windrush Equestrian Foundation
Ascona M – owed by Suzanne Houchin, Lucy and Ben Sangster and Sir Peter Vela
Mr Sneezy – owned by Tiny Clapham, and Ian and Heidi Woodhead

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