Tim Price and Vitali sit comfortably at the top of the Barefoot Retreats Houghton International Horse Trials CCI4*-S leaderboard after a stunning 21.2 penalty point dressage test, with the team in second place in the FEI Nations Cup.

Tim was ecstatic. “Vitali was the best he has been with me really,” he said. “I feel the partnership has really solidified now. I couldn’t be more pleased with how he went – it was a lovely clear round of a test.”

NZL-Tim Price rides Vitali during the CCIO4*-S Dressage. 2022 GBR-Houghton International Horse Trial. Norfolk, Great Britain. Friday 27 May 2022. Copyright Photo: Libby Law

He was rapt with all of his team. “I am very pleased with all my horses here – the three long horses are green so they make green mistakes,” said Tim. “They get a little overwhelmed from the whole thing. Spartaco was good and continues to progress and improve at the 4* level.” He’s now looking forward to the jumping. “Onward and upward to that.”

It is a Brit jam behind Tim, with six English combinations filling the slots to seventh before Jesse Campbell and Gambesie appear with their 27.6 penalty point effort in the 94-strong class.

Tim and Spartaco are in 17th on 29.9 with James Avery and One of a Kind II on 31.1, Hollie Swain aboard Solo on 33.2, Bruce Haskell on Ex Cavalier’s Law scoring 34.9, Jesse with Cooley Lafitte on 35.4, and Bundy Philpott aboard Henton First Lady scoring 39.9.

The Brits lead the Nations Cup class, sitting on 79.2 penalty points, with the Kiwis on 91.5, the Americans on 99.3, Swedes on 100, and the Italians on 104.

In the CCI3*-L, Tim sits in ninth spot on 28.9 aboard Jarillo, with James Avery and MBF Connection in 19th on 30.6 in the class that has attracted 94 combinations. Oliver Townend and Crazy du Loir leads the field on 21.3.

Caroline Powell and Rathnageera River triumphed in the Nexgen Young Horse Series Five-Year-Old class.

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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 II – owned by Hazel and Chloe Livesey and James Avery
Solo – owned by John Bodenham
MBF Connection – owned by Hazel Livesey
Jarillo – owned by Lucy Allison, James and Rachel Good, and Tim and Jonelle Price

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