Mildenhall's Tim Price and Wesko take dressage honours at Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event
Tim Price & Wesko: Luhmuhlen cross country 2014 (Photo: courtesy Kerstin Hoffmann)New Zealand eventer Tim Price and Wesko delivered their best-ever dressage score to take equal first place at the front of the field at the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event in the United States (Friday, April 24.)
It is the pair's first appearance at the top-ranked four star event, and they share the 36.3 penalty point lead with Olympic, World and two-time European champ Michael Jung of Germany aboard La Biosthetique – Sam FBW after a very smooth test.
Tim Price, who with his wife, Jonelle, have stables just north of Mildenhall, is delighted: “I knew he had it in him,” he said of the big warmblood with whom he won the four star crown at Luhmuhlen last year. “I know he is that good, but to do it in the ring is what we have been trying to achieve. I am just elated with him really, he is such a cool horse.”
The Kentucky event is early in the European eventing season and has attracted a truly international field - 75 entrants all eyeing Rio 2016.
Britain's William Fox-Pitt - the reigning Kentucky champion - took third place in the dressage on Bay My Hero. Another British entry, Nicola Wilson on Annie Clover is lying in eleventh place.
But Zara Phillips and High Kingdom had to withdraw from the competition before the dressage stage began. High Kingdom kicked out in his stable and split the skin on his off-hind leg. He needed stitches and was withdrawn in the best interests of the horse.
Saturday's cross country stage will be the real test - rain is forecast. And the 13,000 crowd who watched the dressage on Friday, can expect some tight riding over a tough cross country course - and to get wet.