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.”

NZL-Tim Price rides Vitali during the CCI5* 2nd Day of Dressage. 2024 GBR-MARS Badminton Horse Trials CCI5*. Gloucestershire. Great Britain. Friday 10 May. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography

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.”

NZL-Caroline Powell rides Greenacres Special Cavalier during the CCI5* 2nd Day of Dressage. 2024 GBR-MARS Badminton Horse Trials CCI5*. Gloucestershire. Great Britain. Friday 10 May. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography

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 The field is already down to 67 with two combinations withdrawn before the dressage.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.”

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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.

START LISTS AND RESULTS

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