Tim Price and Vitali didn’t disappoint in their 27.7 penalty point dressage test at the MARS Badminton Horse Trials in the UK. The Kiwi combo sit in third place at the end of the phase, just 2.4 behind leader and 2023 winner Rosaline Canter (GBR) aboard Izilot DHI with Bubby Upton (GBR and Cola in second on 27.3. “The electric atmosphere probably kept us from doing our absolute best test with a couple of little moments of lack of concentration but he still was class,” said Tim. “I am very happy with him.”
The next best of the Kiwis is Caroline Powell who was absolutely thrilled with Greenacres Special Cavalier and their 30 penalty point effort for seventh spot. Jonelle Price and Grappa Nera are on 34.4. She felt they had left a few “frustrating” marks out in the arena but equally the mare had done some “lovely work”. “The changes are not truly established yet but once they are I think she has shown she is capable of doing a really competitive test.”
London Olympian Caroline Powell was very pleased with her 5* debutant CBI Aldo who scored 35.6 on the opening day of dressage. She was happy to be early to go in the field especially given the arena had been quiet. “I am very proud of him taking it all in his stride,” she said of Aldo who at nine is the youngest in the field. “He is a young horse and this week is just about developing him into the horse we know he is going to be. I was thrilled with the test. When he is stronger he will do a lovely test. He is such a trier.”
Jesse Campbell was also chuffed with the efforts of Cooley Lafitte who sits on 35.7. “It was a big, big atmosphere for him but he tried really hard,” said Jesse. “He is quite a nervous, hot horse but I think he did really well. He was really wanting to be distracted but doing his best to stay in the zone with me.” Lauren Innes and Global Fision M sit on 41.4. The field is already down to 67 with two combinations withdrawn before the dressage.
Next is the much-anticipated Eric Winter-designed cross country. EquiRatings have drilled the numbers – as they do so well – and have come up with some interesting stats. They have Tim Price and Vitali as one of the most reliable cross country jumpers in the field with a 100% clear jumping rate from their last 10 FEI runs.
Tim says the “big course” will be a “proper challenge” but the horse was fit and ready. “Time is going to be tight and there is a lot to do,” he says.
Jonelle felt the cross country was big “from start to finish but it is Badminton and it is beautifully presented”. It would certainly be a real fitness test she felt. Ironically the near perfect weather is adding another challenge for horses and riders who have been sloshing around in the wet for much of the season.
Jesse Campbell says the cross country ground will be testing and challenging. “It is really hot – our first hot week of the year after a very cold and wet winter and spring so I think that will be quite challenging for the horses,” he says. “There is no one jump that has everyone scratching their heads but I think with Badminton it is always the accumulation effect which is pretty tough.”
CLICK HERE FOR START LISTS AND RESULTS
CLICK HERE FOR LIVESTREAM – Via Badminton TV Sub
In Germany at the Internationale Marbacher Vieseitigkeit, Clarke Johnstone and Menlo Park are the best of the New Zealanders in the CCI4*-S, in eighth place on 28.6 penalty points. He is also in 11th place aboard Rocket Man on 29.6, with James Avery and MBF Connection in 15th on 30.1.
Samantha Lissington and Lord Seekonig scored 32.1, Ginny Thomasen and Capitaine de Hus Z bagged 33, Clarke and Domasco have 33 on the score board, Dan Jocelyn with Blackthorn Cruise sit on 34.4, Sam and Ricker Ridge Sooty GNZ scored 34.6, Hollie Swain and Ballycoskerry Regal Diamond 41.2, and Muzi Pottinger with Good Timing 47.
The 48-strong field is led by Nicolas Touzaint (FRA) aboard Diabolo Menthe on 26.7.
THE HORSE DETAILS
Horse |
Breeding |
Owners |
CBI Aldo |
by Goodluck VDL out of KMS Eclipse who is by Ramon |
Pat Melville-Evans, Jo West and Serena Greenwell |
Greenacres Special Cavalier |
by Cavalier Royale out of Greenacres Touch who is by Touchdown |
Chris and Michelle Mann and Caroline Powell
|
Grappa Nera |
by Karendasj out of Cetonette who is by Babalouba |
The Grape Syndicate and Jonelle Price |
Cooley Lafitte |
by Je T’aime Flamenco out of Graf Shenanigans who is by Scirocco Delle |
Jay Jaffar |
Vitali |
by Contender out of Noble Lady who is by Heraldik |
Alexander and Joseph Giannamore and Tim Price |
Global Fision M |
by Flipper D’Elle*HN* out of Kantussa who is by Cantus |
Innes Family Syndicate |
Menlo Park |
by Berlin out of Faerie Queen who is by Rock King |
Jean, Rob and Clarke Johnstone |
Rocket Man |
by Diacontinus out of For You who is by For Pleasure |
Jean and Rob Johnstone |
Domasco |
by Zoffany out of Iwunder who is by King’s Best |
Clarke Johnstone |
Ricker Ridge Sooty GNZ |
by Caretino out of Quantum Flash who is by Tristaking |
Pip McCarroll and Samantha Lissington
|
Lord Seekonig |
by Lord Fauntleroy out of Seekoenigin who is by Carpalo |
Sharon Honiss, Annabelle and Robin Greville Williams, Brayden Lissington and Neil Robertson |
Blackthorn Cruise |
by Vancouver out of Ms Cruze who is by Cruising |
owned by Panda Christie and Dan Jocelyn |
Ballycoskerry Regal Diamond |
by Gentle Diamond out of Rolling Star who is by High Roller |
The Hendrix Syndicate |
MBF Connection |
by Luidam out of Traditionally Aloof |
Hazel Liversey and James Avery |
Capitaine De Hus Z |
by Cosinus out of France de Hus who is by Fergar Mail |
David and Karie Thomson and Ginny Thomasen |
Good Timing |
by Nom du Jeu out of Baloushe who is by Black Minnaloushe |
The Volunteer Syndicate |
By Diana Dobson
Photos by Libby Law/ESNZ