Tim Price and Jarillo are the best of the Kiwis at CHIO Aachen in Germany, sitting in sixth spot, with the team in fourth in the Nations’ Cup clash.

Tim added nothing in the showjumping to his 28.9 penalty point dressage score, with Jonelle Price and Senior Crocodillo also remaining on their dressage score of 31.9 for 11th. Ginny Thomasen and Capitaine de Hus Z had a rail for their end of day tally of 41.8 while Caroline Powell aboard CBI Aldo picked up eight faults for their 44.2 penalty point effort and Lauren Innes with Global Fision M sit on 57.2.

Tim was very pleased with his youngster. “He acquitted himself well in the dressage with all the atmosphere Aachen has – he was focused and gave the work that he is capable of at this stage of his career,” said Tim. “He is a really good jumper but it is a new experience to go into this big Aachen ring with the stadium right around it. It took him a little bit to settle into his track but he jumped around it really nicely for a good clear round.”

Tim said Aachen was also valuable experience for the other Kiwis competing. “I think all will take a lot away from the experience.”

Jonelle felt it was always a thrill to compete at Aachen. “It’s quite simply one of the greatest shows in the world,” she said. “I am very happy with my guy today. I felt he worked to his capabilities here and now on the flat, and jumped a good clear this evening. Competing here is a big deal for a young horse, so whilst we want to be competitive, it’s also about giving him a good expert for the future.”

Riders were also conscious that Aachen is playing host to the World Champs in 2026. “He could be well suited to world championships here in two years’ time so it’s good exposure and an opportunity to see how well they cope with the intensity that an environment like this provided.”

Ginny was very pleased with her horse’s effort. “It was quite incredible being in that beautiful arena with lots of atmosphere – a feeling like we have not had before which is very exciting.”

They had a couple of expensive mistakes but on the whole she was very happy with him. “There is lots to look forward to,” said Ginny. An early uncharacteristic fence in the show jumping was an unfortunate addition to their score. “We are thrilled to be here and very pleased so far – lots to do tomorrow!”

Michael Jung (GER) and fischerChipmunk FRH lead the 45-strong field on 22.5. Team Great Britain is in pole position in the eight-strong SAP Cup competition on a score of 96.3 penalty points with Australia in second on 100.1, the United States in third on 102.1 and the Kiwis on 102.6 in fourth.

ESNZ high performance general manager Jock Paget said it was a “good enough” day in Germany for the New Zealanders. “All of these horses are first timers at Aachen so it has been a good educational day for them all,” he said. “The dressage is always really tough here but these combinations all had a good experience getting into that arena.”

The showjumping had, as usual, a big atmosphere in a very unique arena. “It is quite a special place to jump just with the feeling you get going into that main stadium but the course was nice and not overly tough. It is another good experience for these younger horses to get out in that main arena.”

The cross country course looked typically Aachen. “It starts off up to standard for Aachen and then softens a little, but with this type of course you can never really think that anything will be nice or easy because the course is notorious for catching the best in the world out and especially when you are trying to make the time. Tomorrow will be an interesting day for sure,” said Jock.

Tim said the cross country would be a real challenge. “The time is always extremely tight here so it will come down who is prepared to go competitively and to do that you have to go really fast,” he said. “The course is always demanding here. When everyone is under so much pressure for the speed it can heighten the difficulty of things that might walk a bit more straight forward. So everything needs to be fully respected all the way to the finish flags. The Kiwis are looking forward to showing what we do best, which is gallop across the country and jump a few jumps along the way and come home with a good team result.”

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