Two in the top 10 for Tim at Burghley

Tim cracked into it with a super test on Bango (image: Libby Law)

Tim Price has his Burghley campaign off to a great start, sitting in second and eighth places after the first day of dressage.

The world number one was the first out into the arena with Bango, and set a high standard with a fluent, consistent test, scoring 29.6 which is a personal best for the chestnut Irish Sport Horse.

“He’s not always the most easy in this phase,” says Tim. “He’s a redhead, and you have to take everything that comes along with that, generally speaking. We’d call him brittle – he’s good at home, and then he comes out for a test like he’s on eggshells, so my priority was for the test to be smooth and flowing, which it was.”

A first-timer at Burghley, former British Junior National Champion and Young Riders squad member Eliza Stoddart is at top of the leaderboard, scoring 28.7 with Priorspark Opposition Free. “I was hoping to be in the top 15 after dressage – to be in the lead after day one is mind boggling, but totally cool,” says Eliza (26). “This is my local event and I remember sitting on the edge of the Leaf Pit with my mates as a child joking about how we’d ride at Burghley one day. To be sat here in this position is totally mental!”

Eliza was stunned and thrilled to find herself first after the opening day of dressage, riding Priorspark Opposition Free (image: Libby Law)

Sarah Bullimore and Reve Du Rouet matched Tim and Bango’s score of 29.6 to sit equal second, and another pair of Burghley debutants, France’s Sebastien Cavaillon and the eye catching chestnut mare Sarah D’Argouges, finished the day in fourth place on 29.8.

Sarah Bullimore and the elegant Reve Du Rouet, equal second (image: Libby Law)

British riders hold fifth to seventh places, with Pippa Funnell rueing a late error – halting in the wrong place – which marred an otherwise impressive performance with Billy Walk On. They sit fifth on 29.9, Georgie Spence is sixth on Wii Limbo, and Will Furlong seventh on Collien P2.

Tim holds eighth place with Xavier Faer, with a score of 31.5 and still has defending champion Ringwood Sky Boy to ride, who is the last to go down the centre line tomorrow afternoon.

Tim and Xavier Faer are sitting a handy eighth (image: Libby Law)

Tim is the only rider with three mounts this year, and says it’s not because he’s a glutton for punishment. “I had no logical reason not to,” he explains. “I have three horses that are very much this type of horse; they’re brave, bold-jumping geldings, and when you’re preparing for something like this, things can go wrong in the lead-up – just look at Jonelle, who was meant to bring Classic Moet and now she can’t, for a silly little reason.

“These guys just kept pitching up for work, and here we are with three healthy horses suited to the course. If I have to work a bit harder, that’s my problem, not theirs.

“I feel like I’ve got a good chance on a few of these horses actually, so I just have to prove it. It’s a fun feeling being world number one, as I’ve never been an out-and-out winner.

“I’m not one that goes and hunts down every single prize there is on the circuit, so it feels like it’s a real show of consistency and that’s something I’ve done with a lot of different horses.

“It’s something I’m very proud of and it does bring an element of confidence. It’s a reflection that things are going well, so hopefully I turn up on Sunday with a healthy horse that’s good to jump.”

Two down, one to go (image: Libby Law)

The only other New Zealand rider on the first day of dressage, Caroline Powell, scored 37.1 for interim 19th equal place with On the Brash. Caroline was more than happy with the test: “We’re really pleased with the work On The Brash produced. Lots of improvements all round, just some costly changes.

“It’s all to play for out there!”

Caroline Powell and On the Brash (image: Libby Law)
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