NZL-Tim Price goes into the lead at Maryland. File Photo. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography
Tim Price and Coup de Coeur Dudevin have taken the lead in the CCI5*-L after a stunning cross country in Maryland this morning.
The world’s top-ranked rider was one of 12 combinations to come home clear and inside time over the Ian Stark-designed course. But it is tight at the top. Tim remains on his 27.4 penalty point dressage score, with Tamra Smith (USA) aboard Danito in second on 29.4 and Oliver Townend (GBR) with As Is in third on 29.9 and Bruce Davidson (USA) on Carvelo in fourth on 30.6. There were just two retirements during the cross country.
Tim was rapt with the efforts of his 10-year-old Selle Francais gelding who is on debut at 5* level. “He is very inexperienced having only done one 4* long but I just believe in him so much,” said Tim. “He dealt with everything very well including saving my bacon at the top. I was riding up to one that didn’t exist and he was like ‘no, it’s this one’ and dived in there for me. It just shows the class of him.”
Hayley Frielick, the only other Kiwi in the field, was over the moon with the efforts of Dunedin Black Watch. The pair had a refusal at 10A adding jump and time to finish the day on 60.5 penalties.
“He was amazing,” she said. “I am kicking myself for not kicking more at 10. He just got a little green and I was a bit quiet, but he felt phenomenal otherwise. He really ate up the track. They were the biggest fences he has ever seen and I am so proud of him.”
Hayley turned her watch off after their 20 and opted to let him travel. “He was really quick to be just over time and super full of running.”
Overnight leader Woods Baughman (USA) and C’est la Vie 135 slipped down the 25-strong leaderboard after picking up both jump and time penalties.
THE HORSE DETAILS:
Coup de Coeur Dudevin – owned by Jean-Louis Stauffer
Dunedin Black Watch – owned by Kathryn Robertson
By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison