Tim Price and Vitali remain at the top of the CCI4*-S – O leaderboard at the Barefoot Retreats Houghton International Horse Trials in the UK, with the New Zealand team still in second spot in the Nations Cup competition, but that is all about to change.

“Vitali is jumping really well,” said Tim of their clear showjumping round. “I am really happy with Vitali to hold his lead.” However, the firm ground at the event means Tim will not start the horse in the cross country tonight.”

Tim remains on his 21.2 penalty point dressage score with Jesse Campbell and Gambesie in seventh on 27.6 after a clear showjumping round, and Spartaco in 13th on 29.9. Nations Cup team-mates Bruce Haskell aboard Ex Cavalier’s Law and Jess with Cooley Lafitte sit on 34.9 and 35.4 respectively.

Bruce said Ex Cavalier’s Law had produced a “beautiful clear (showjumping) round” on a first-timer on a “decent” 4* track amongst top competition. “I am very pleased with the horse,” he said. “The cross country is decent in places – the water is quite tough and there are one or two combinations that are up to spec so we are looking forward to it. It will be a good educational first run. We won’t be going for time but it is a good place to start. Overall I am delighted with him.”

Jesse was really happy with his two inexperienced 4* horses. “They are both quite green at this level but have given me some good moments this weekend,” he said, “especially in the dressage and showjumping where I have really felt some classy moments. That is promising for the future.

He felt Gambesie was a “quality horse” who had been slowly produced while Cooley Lafitte while may not have scored an eye-catching result on the flat, some of the work had been really good. “His showjumping has always been phenomenal.” Jesse said the cross country looked to be a nice track and those riders who did a good job should be rewarded. “The ground is pretty firm and rutty, so we will looking after our horses tomorrow.”

With Bundy Philpott withdrawing Henton First Lady before the showjumping overnight, it means the team, which is down to just Bruce and Jesse, will now be out of contention in the Nations Cup.

Tim and Jarillo sit in ninth place in the CCI3*-L on 28.9 after going clear and inside time in the cross country test. He was also clear and inside time aboard Viscount Viktor, as was Lucy Jackson aboard Tomochichi. “I was very pleased today across the board,” said Tim. “My two 3*-S did their cross country well and were both clear and inside the time and my two 4* shorts showjumped well and were also both clear.”

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THE HORSE DETAILS:
Henton First Lady – owned by Bundy and Bryan Philpott
Cooley Lafitte – owned by Jay Jaffar
Gambesie – owned by Sarah Moffat
Ex Cavalier’s Law – owned by Tammy Lake and Bruce Haskell
Spartaco – owned by Tim Price
Vitali – owned by Alexander and Joseph Giannamore and Tim Price
One of a Kind – owned by Hazel and Chloe Livesey and James Avery
Solo – owned by John Bodenham
Harbour Town – owned by Amanda Vosper and Sue Benson
Dassett Showman – owned by Gillian Greenlees and Lucy Jackson
Tomochichi – owned by The Big Bees Syndicate
Jerry – owned by Juliet Wood and Bundy Philpott
Gino Gingerino – owned by Jeremy Young
MBF Connection – owned by Hazel Livesey
Jarillo – owned by Lucy Allison, James and Rachel Good, and Tim and Jonelle Price
Viscount Viktor – owned by Barbara Cooper, Glynn Norcutt and Ginny Rusher
Lichtenstein – owned by David and Karie Thomson
Lucky Jo Jo – owned by Lucky Jo Jo Syndicate and Nick Brooks
Karakter W – owned by Little Red Rocket Syndicate and Lucy Jackson

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