Eventing: Team Price's year crowned with Tim's fine Burghley win - next up for the 'golden couple' the World Games
The Land Rover Burghley website announces Tim's victory"What a super year" said Tim Price after his victory in the land Rover Burghley Horse Trials on Ringwood Skyboy.
"Super" may be an understatement. This year husband and wife Team Price - Tim and Jonelle live in Marlborough - have won the Burghley, Lumuhlen (Germany) and Badminton CCI4* titles. Now they travel with the New Zealand team to Tryon, North Carolina for the World Equestrian Games.
39-year-old Tim Price had a clear round aboard Ringwood Sky Boy in the showjumping to finish on 27.3 penalty points: “I am just so so thrilled.” Price described Ringwood Sky Boy, who is owned by Vareena Allen, as “such a trier”: “He has always been putting his best hoof forward with everything."
Five-time Burghley winner Andrew Nicholson, who is based near Marlborough at Lockeridge, put pressure on the top four with his clear round aboard the very promising Swallow Springs in their first 4* start, but it wasn’t quite enough and he finished in third place on 32.1.
Oliver Townend (GBR) aboard Ballaghmor Class was second on 31.9 - one of six British riders in the top ten.
Price also took tenth place on Bango. Ringwood Skyboy and Bango's clear rounds were two of only eight to in the final phase of the competition. Tim Price has been in the top five at Burghley for the past three years with Ringwood Sky Boy.
This is his second 4* victory – the current world number four ranked rider won Luhmuhlen aboard Wesko in 2014: "I’m really just trying to stay up with the missus! She is a great driving force for both of us – we are lucky to have each other. I am sure we will look back on this in years to come – 2018 has been a very special year.”
“Burghley is the place you want to come to and put your best foot forward. You have got to bring your best game – from a riding point of view, this is where you want to be your best. This is very special – I will always carry it with me.”
Jonelle was also very proud of their efforts: “Tim is world class – there is no shadow of a doubt. They are truly deserving winners. This year is remarkable – I wouldn’t have said it was possible at the start of the year but dreams do come true. You have to enjoy these things when they happen – you don’t know what is around the corner.”
The World Equestrian Games begin next week - the Burghley result will give the New Zealand team a great boost.