Tim and Jonelle Price are eighth and ninth respectively at the end of the dressage in the grand finale of the Event Rider Masters CIC3* at the Land Rover Blair Castle International Horse Trials in Scotland.

World number four Tim and Wesko scored 30.3 penalty points with world number five Jonelle aboard Cloud Dancer II just a smidgen behind on 30.5.

Tim felt Wesko was feeling perhaps a little too fresh. “He is feeling fantastic but unfortunately today that meant he was a bit hot for the job. There is a Porsche under there and sometimes it’s just purring, other times it revs a bit and today we were revving,” said Tim. “It’s not the work that we’re capable of which is a bit of a shame but there we go. It’s actually probably a good thing that we’re not in the lead – he’s a super jumper and I’m hoping he makes it look easy tomorrow.”

Oliver Townend and Cillnabradden Evo lead the 23-strong field on 26.4 but there is less than a single jumping pole between the top eight, so this competition is far from over. However, only two riders from 10 have ever come from outside the top three after the dressage to win the ERM at Blair.

Tim and Jonelle are also both handy in the CCI3* after the dressage and cross country phases. Tim and Pats Jester sit in third spot on 28.5 with Jonelle and Cooley Showtime in sixth on 38.9. Tim was one of only three riders to add nothing to their dressage score while Jonelle added just 4.4 time penalties. James Avery and Optimus Prime II sit just outside the top 10 on 47.1 after adding 12.4 time penalties to their score.

Tom McEwen (GBR) and Strike Smartly lead the 25-strong field on 26.9.

James Avery and Mr Sneezy have finished in 18th on 78.8 in the CIC3* (non ERM). The class was won by Oliver Townend aboard Tregilder who finished on his dressage score of 33.5. Oliver withdrew his top three horses – who were in first, second and third spots – after the showjumping as they are all tilted for Burghley next week. Just 32 of the original 47 starters completed the three phases, with four eliminations and a retirement on the cross country. The remaining combinations withdrew.

It is better news for James in the CCI1* where he and Seaflower have held on to their lead at the end of the cross country. The Kiwi combo remain on their 25.2 dressage score. Again the course proved tricky for some with nine combinations eliminated.

CLICK HERE FOR RESULTS
CLICK HERE FOR ERM LIVE STREAM

The horse details:
Wesko – owned by the late Christina Knudsen and Tim Price
Cloud Dancer II – owned by the Marley and Me Syndicate
Mr Sneezy – owned by Tiny Clapham and Ian and Heidi Woodhead
Optimus Prime II – owned by Joe, Alex and Louis Giannamore
Cooley Showtime – owned by Suzanne Houchin, Lucy and Ben Sangster and Sir Peter Vela
Pats Jester – owned by Kate Maitland/ Therese Miller, Philip Hunt, Jo Preston-Hunt and Tim Price
Magic Roundabout IV – owned by Laurence Hunt and Sarah Stone
Seaflower – owned by Elizabeth Edwards

By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison
Photos by: Anna Franklin/Event Rider Masters