More Magic from Price at Luhmulen
Sunday, 21 June 2015
It’s been another brilliant day for world number five Jonelle Price at the Luhmühlen International Horse Trials in Germany, as she sits in second and third place in the CCI4* and CIC3* after an exciting day of cross country.
Kiwi riders fill three of the top six spots in the four star, with Price on Faerie Dianimo (owned by Trisha Rickards and Jacky Green) in second on 32.8 penalty points, Sir Mark Todd and NZB Campino (owned by New Zealand Bloodstock and Todd) in fifth and Jesse Campbell having the run of his life on Kaapachino (owned by Jesse and Dr Craig Campbell) in sixth on 36.8.
But it wasn’t without drama – Price was red flagged at the second to last fence but then released to continue to jump the last. It was an agonising wait until her official fault-free time and score went up on the board. “Today she rode like a proper four star horse,” said Price, who looks on track to win her first-ever four star event. “She was amazing. She flew round the course . . . she is truly exceptional.
“I have never had a horse like her before. She can do amazing things in all three disciplines. At home she is a little diva and her stable name is Princess, but it was worth putting in all the hard work to get her on my side.” Price felt the spunky little grey – who just quietly, thinks she is a race horse – has grown a lot since her performance at Pau earlier this year. “I really can’t ask for more. If I do my job well tomorrow, then anything is possible.”
Todd was rapt with the efforts of Campino, who “travelled brilliantly to finish his first four star since the London Olympics”.
“I had such fun today,” said Todd. “My horse was just cruising around the course. There wasn’t a single hairy moment . . . it was simply amazing. I’m really looking forward to tomorrow, the showjumping should be great.”
Campbell too was buzzing.
“It was just incredible,” he said. “Kaapachino cruised around the four star finishing bang on the optimum time. He is a cross country machine and loved every minute of the course.”
Thirteen combinations went clear and inside time, including the three Kiwis. But it was a mixed day for some on the Captain Mark Philips-designed cross country, with just 24 still in the mix – nine retired, two were eliminated and three withdrew before the phase.
Ingrid Klimke (GER) and FRH Escada JS leads the four star on 32.7, with Michael Jung (GER) on La Biosthetique Sam FBW right behind Price in third on 34.2.
In the CIC3*, just two retired on course, with the remaining 25 still in the running. Jonelle Price and Cloud Dancer (owned by The Marley and Me Syndicate) added just time faults to their dressage score to slip to third place on 43.2, behind Andreas Ostholt (GER) on So is Et on 37.8 and Pia Munker (GER) on Louis M on 38.2.
Tim Price and The Court Jester (owned by Kyrle Arscott and Mr and Mrs D Chappell) went clear and inside time to move from 11th to seventh on the leaderboard, and sit on 48.6, while Jesse Campbell and Amsterdam 21 (owned by Gary Harding) added just time faults to their tally to move up three spots to 15th.
The showjumping will be tight in both classes, but particularly the four star, where a single rail covers the top five.
For full results, head to: http://tgl.luhmuehlen.de/files/Ergebnislisten2015/luhm0_010_ergel_abst.pdf
