The New Zealand eventing team are well in the hunt for a medal at the end of the dressage at the FEI 2026 World Championships in Aachen, sitting in fourth place – just .3 behind third placed France.

Jonelle Price and Senor Crocodillo are our best-placed combo on 27.2 penalty points, with Clarke Johnstone and Rocket Man on 28.7, Monica Spencer with Artist on 28.9, and Tim Price with Falco on 33.7. Individual rider Samantha Lissington and Lucas Stone are sitting in 20th on 29.7.

All of the New Zealand riders felt the cross country looked challenging with a tight time to boot. “There are plenty of good jumps to jump,” said Tim. “There is nothing that is a given out there. There are jobs to do all the way round and I think the Kiwis are all very well prepared.”

ESNZ high performance general manager Jock Paget said the team was within reach of the podium. “I am happy with the team and how we have got through the first phase, but tomorrow will be a tough day . . . and it will be hot. There is plenty out there to jump,” said Jock.

It was a real championship course. “We will go round by round. We will send the first two out and keep a tack on how things are looking before we make a plan on how to finish off with the last two team riders.” He expected the cross country to certainly shuffle the scoreboard around.

It’s all Britain and Germany at the top of the leaderboard, with Julia Krajewski (GER) aboard Uelzener’s Nickel leading on 22 penalty points, Laura Collett (GBR) on London 52 on 22.8, Michael Jung (GER) on fischerChipmunk FRH third on 23, and Roslind Canter (GBR) on Lordships Graffalo in fourth on 23.4.

🐎 Jonelle Price and Senor Crocodillo (team) 27.2 penalty points 9th
🐎 Clarke Johnstone and Rocket Man (team) 28.7 penalty points 12th
🐎 Monica Spencer and Artist (team) 28.9 penalty points 13th
🐎 Samantha Lissington and Lucas Stone (individual) 29.7 penalty points 20th
🐎 Tim Price and Falco (team) 33.7 penalty points 49th

Team standings
🥇 Great Britain 72.8 penalty points
🥈 Germany 73.6 penalty points
🥉 France 84.5 penalty points
4th New Zealand 84.8 penalty points

The cross country gets underway at 9.15am (GER time) – 7.15pm (NZ time). So set your ⏰ . . . here’s the order of go for the Kiwis 🥝 🇳🇿 🖤.

⌚️ Clarke Johnstone and Rocket Man 9.19am (GER time) – 7.19pm (NZ time)
⌚️ Jonelle Price and Senor Crocodillo 10.47am (GER time) – 8.47pm (NZ time)
⌚️ Samantha Lissington and Lucas Stone 12.19pm (GER time) – 10.19pm (NZ time)
⌚️ Monica Spencer and Artist 12.59pm (GER time) – 10.59pm (NZ time)
⌚️ Tim Price and Falco 2.43pm (GER time) – 12.43am (NZ time)

CLICK HERE FOR FULL RESULTS

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