Price Adds Fifth 5* Crown to Tally
Monday, 17 October 2022
Tim Price underlined his dominance of world eventing this morning with victory aboard debutant Coup de Coeur Dudevin in the Maryland CCI5*-L at Fair Hill in the United States.
The newly-crowned world no.1 was second after the dressage on a score of 27.4 penalty points, taking the top spot on the leaderboard with a stunning cross country run. They added just .8 time in the showjumping to end the event on 28.2. It is Tim’s fifth 5* win and the second time he has steered a debutant to victory at the top 5* level.
Just five of the remaining 21-strong field were clear and inside time in the showjumping phase. Tamra Smith (USA) and Danito finished second on 29.8 with Oliver Townend (GBR) aboard As Is third on 29.9. The top three combinations were all on debut at 5* level.
Tim was over the moon. “This is actually the most amazing feeling,” he said. “I have had some fun days at the office but I think this beats them all. He is a fantastic horse. He just tried so hard. He has not known himself in this kind of fatigue after a big day yesterday, but he was super. What a stage to do it on.”
The horse had turned himself “inside out” in the showjumping arena. “Bless him,” said Tim. “He worked really hard. It is these special horses that make us look good as riders but I am really proud of him. He has pulled up beautifully and what a cool horse. Very happy. I love this event.”
Fittingly Coup de Coeur Dudevin’s breeder and owner Jean-Louis Stauffer was in Maryland to watch the victory.
Maryland is Tim’s last event for the year, one which also delivered him both team and individual bronze medals from the recent FEI World Eventing Championships.
“What a great way to put myself on the bench for a few months,” he said. Tim was full of praise for the event which he said would only get better and was certainly one to stamp in the calendar each year.
Hayley Frielick was rapt to complete the 5* aboard her debutant Dunedin Black Watch. “I am so proud of my little guy,” said Hayley. “He just got in there (in the showjumping) and felt really green. He wanted to leave the rails up but he’s about six months off where we needed to be. It is great experience to get under our belts though and was awesome to actually meet the other Kiwis in person too.”
Maryland is one of just seven 5* events on the world calendar.
WHAT: Maryland 5* at Fair Hill presented by Brown Advisory WHERE: Fair Hill, Elkton, Maryland, United States WHEN: October 13-16, 2022 MORE INFO: www.maryland5star.us RESULTS: https://live.rechenstelle.de/2022/elkton/leaderboard01.html
