New Zealand are second at the end of the opening day of competition in the FEI Nations Cup CCIO4*-S at Haras du Pin in France, with three combinations also in the top 10.

Jesse Campbell and Diachello are the best of the team in seventh spot on 28.1, with Tim Price and Falco right behind him on 28.6, Jonelle Price and McClaren on 31.8 and Virginia Thompson aboard Gladstone on 36.2 giving the team a best of three score of 88.5. Leaders Germany sit on 81.1, with Great Britain in third spot on 91.5. There are 12 teams taking part in the competition.

ESNZ high performance general manager Jock Paget felt all the New Zealanders had ridden good tests and he hoped they will build on that momentum for the rest of the weekend. “Everyone performed well out there,” he said.

Jesse was very happy with Diachello. “We have been working on a lot of things over the summer and it is lovely that it is all starting to come together, right in the nick of time with selection just around the corner,” said Jesse. Haras is the last chance for Kiwi eventers to impress selectors before combinations are named for the FEI World Championships in Italy next month.

“Diachello is feeling fantastic and I am really looking forward to the next few days and getting stuck into the jumping.”

NZL-Jesse Campbell rides Diachello during the first day of Dressage for the CCIO4*-S. 2022 ITA-Pratoni del Vivaro – FEI Nations Cup Eventing, and the 2022 FEI World Championships Test Event for Eventing. Thursday 12 May 2022. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography

Tim was also chuffed with horse he won the Pau 5* on last year. “He was very relaxed and rideable,” said Tim. “There were just a couple of little things that can be improved to get a better mark.”

Jonelle felt McClaren had done a “pretty smart test”. “There were a couple of little things but nothing too sinister,” she said. “Just a couple of marks adrift of where I thought it might have been. That is always a little frustrating but we are going to be in the mix and if we can finish close to that and we will do our job, we will be happy with that.”

Virginia Thompson was a late call into the team after Amanda Pottinger’s Just Kidding had a slightly raised temperature. He is being closely monitored and a decision will be made overnight as to whether the combination will start in the individual competition.

Virginia was thrilled with Gladstone. “He is newer to this level and not as established as we would like to be at this stage but for where he is at I felt there was some very pleasing work,” she said.

In the individual competition, Tim is in fourth place with Coup de Coeur Dudevin, sitting on 27.1. “He’s a beautiful horse and our partnership is developing really well.” Hollie Swain and Solo were the only other Kiwis in action today, scoring 35.1.

Mollie Summerland (GBR) and Charly van ter Heiden lead on 22.5 at the end of the first day of dressage, with 58 of the 112 strong field having completed their tests.

There are a number of Kiwis still to come, including Bruce Haskell aboard Ex Cavalier’s Law, Virginia with Capitaine de Hus Z, Jesse on Cooley Lafitte, Jonelle aboard Grappa Nera, and Tim with Happy Boy. Jonelle will also contest the CCI3*-S aboard her new mount Hiarado.

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THE HORSE DETAIL:
Captaine de Hus Z – owned by David and Karie Thomson and Virginia Thompson
Gladstone – owned by Elaine Butterworth, Anthony Quirk and Virginia Thompson
McClaren – owned by David and Karie Thomson
Grappa Nera – owned by The Grape Syndicate and Jonelle Price
Happy Boy – owned by Susan Lamb and Therese Miller
Coupe de Coeur Dudevin – owned by Jean-Louis Stauffer
Just Kidding – owned by The Pottinger Family
Diachello – owned by Kent Gardner and Jesse Campbell
Cooley Lafitte – owned by Jay Jaffar
Solo – owned by John Bodenham
Ex Cavalier’s Law – owned by Tammy Lake and Bruce Haskell
Hiarado – owned by David and Karie Thomson

 

By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison