Tim Price is leading the charge for the Kiwis at the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials having inched up the leaderboard into third and fifth spots in the CCI4*-S for eight and nine-year-olds after the showjumping overnight.

Tim and Jarillo were all clear to remain on their 26.7 penalty point dressage score with a four for Chio 20 to see him finish the day on 29.1 in sixth. Jonelle Price and Chilli’s Midnight Star were all clear to remain on 30.9 and are in 12th spot, and she added nothing to Senor Crocodillo’s tally either to stay on 31 just two slots back. James Avery picked up four aboard Dallas 13 to sit on 34, while Jonelle added just 1.2 time aboard Fernhill Kankan for their 35.3 penalty point effort.

Tim and Viscount Viktor added four for 36.4 while Tayla Mason did the same aboard Joopiter to finish the day on 39.6, as did Hollie Swain and Ballycoskerry Regal Diamond for their 42.8.
Overnight leader Tom McEwen (GBR) and MHS Brown Jack were eliminated with Oliver Townend aboard Cooley Rosalent taking the lead on 24.7, with Piggy March (GBR) and Brookfield Future News in second on 25.5.

Twenty of the 95-strong field were clear and inside time with a further 24 jumping clear but picking up time penalties. There were two eliminations and three withdrawals from the original start list leaving 90 combinations to start tonight in the cross country.

In the CCI4*-L clear jumping in the cross country didn’t seem a problem, but making that time was a challenge with just seven of the 87 remaining combinations adding nothing to their tallies.

Joe Meyer and Harbin are the best of the Kiwis, having added just four time to their tally to sit in 27th place on 42.1 penalty points. Dan Jocelyn and Blackthorn Cruise added 8.8 time for their 42.6 score with Caroline Powell and CBI Aldo right behind them on 42.9 having added 11.6 time.

Samantha Lissington and Lord Seekonig picked up a 15 for a missed flag as the C element of the coffin complex as well as time for an end-of-day 52.5. Just 66 remain in the field after 15 eliminations, six retirements and six withdrawals.

World champ Yasmin Ingham (GBR) is chasing a second CCI4*-L win aboard Banzai du Loir coming home clear and inside to time for the pole position going into the showjumping tonight. Yasmin leads on 20.5 penalty points with Ros Canter (GBR) and Izilot DHI is in second on 22, with Piggy march (GBR) and Halo in third on 29.5.

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