A ninth place finish for Jonelle Price and Chilli’s Midnight Star was New Zealand’s best effort in the CCI5*-L at the Burghley Horse Trials. The Kiwi combo were 21st after their 36.2 penalty point dressage, shot up 10 spots to 10th after adding 10.8 time on a challenging cross country, and finished with .8 time in the showjumping for a final tally of 47.8.

“I am delighted to jump a good round today,” said Jonelle after their showjumping round. “He has been pretty consistent on the last day for the last 12 months but in some ways that starts mounting the pressure when you know you can jump a good round and there is a bit more expectation.”

She said “apart from half a dressage test” she had to be happy. The horse would now take a winter break after a busy “proper” year. Chilli’s Midnight Star, who she felt was a true Badminton Burghley horse, has done a couple of 5*s but Burghley was another step up for the 12-year-old who has been with Jonelle for around three years. “It is a great result here and now but more so too a bit of a glimpse of what we are capable of over the coming years. That is definitely something to be excited about and a top 10 finish was really rewarding for myself and his lovely owners.”

Tim Price and Global Quest were 11th on 48.9 with Jesse Campbell and Cooley Lafitte 13th on 51.9.

“Of course I wanted a clear round,” said Tim after their three rails in the showjumping dropped them off the podium. “He is still a little bit of an unknown quantity at this level. It was a shame – it just took a little for him to relax into the course and he started to jump better and better. He is a newbie at this level and we will be around for some time yet.”

Jesse Campbell felt it had been a “pretty cool” week all round. “I didn’t come in with heaps of expectations but certainly knew that my horse was in a good way. It has been quite nice to just stay in the moment and deliver on that.” It had been quite emotional for him watching Tim Price complete the cross country aboard his late wife Georgie’s former horse.

Brit Gemma Stevens and Chilli Knight put a nightmare showing at the World Championships last month behind her to take the win by 13.4 penalty points – the biggest winning margin since 1998. She finished on 29.6 penalty points and was the only rider to complete on her dressage score. Second was Katie Magee (GBR) and Treworra were second on 43 with Caroline Pamukcu (USA) aboard HSH Blake third on 44. Just 27 of the original 48 starters completed the event.

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