Tim Price is the only Kiwi in the top 10 in the Magic Millions British Open CIC3* at Gatcombe Park. He and Pats Jester placed seventh in a very competitive field, finishing on 43.5 penalty points, with winner Chris Burton (AUS) and Polystar I on 24.6.
Tim was very pleased with his 10-year-old horse. The two had a 30.3 dressage score, adding four in the showjumping and 9.2 in the cross country. “He is a horse with a lot of talent. I haven’t had the best run in this year for something like Gatcombe with a fall in Poland really early on.”
Since then the two have been working on getting themselves back together but he was “super” today on the cross country. “Yesterday I walked the cross country thinking I am actually quite fit,” said Tim. “I have ridden round and it does run you pretty hard and the horses. I couldn’t be more pleased with him.”
He said the terrain at Gatcombe Park was always a big ask and praised the efforts of course designer Captain Mark Phillips. “You always have to treat Gatcombe like a target event, not one on to something else. I think you might get your comeuppance if you don’t have that approach. He (Captain Mark Phillips) has done a great job again.”
He had “very cleverly placed and positioned” fences and questions. “It is all there if you ride it the way he wants you to, which is balanced at the right times, push at the right times, and try and ride the distances he has created . . . but I enjoyed it, and it was good fun.”
Dan Jocelyn and Dassett Cool Touch finished on 58.5 in 12th position on the back of a 33.3 dressage effort, adding four in the showjumping and 20.4 time in the cross country. He was using the event as part of his preparation for Burghley.
“He gave me a lovely ride,” said Dan. “He got a little strong towards the end and got his head down on me which was a bit frightening in a couple of places but I have full faith in this horse’s cross country ability. If I can just steer him to the fence he is real good.”
Sir Mark Todd withdrew NZB Campino before the cross country. They were one of seven combinations to withdraw during the event. There were also two retirements and two eliminations on the cross country. Twenty of the 31 starters completed the class. No one came home within time on the cross country, but just four added jump faults.
Dan Jocelyn had a busy weekend with his team. He and Fjury placed fourth in the British Intermediate Championship on 40.1. The Kiwis were in 11th after the dressage on 30.1 and added just 10 time penalties in the cross country to move up the leaderboard. Tom McEwen (GBR) and CHF Cooliser won the class on 36.9.
Dan was also third aboard Blackthorn Cruise in the British Eventing Trophy for Advanced Horses with a 51.7 penalty point effort. Elizabeth Power (IRE) and Soladoun won the class on 50.7. Dan also had Grovine de Reve entered but withdrew before the cross country.
He and Lissyegan Rory were 21st in the British Novice Championship with a score of 48.8. The class was won by Francis Whittington (GBR) and DHI Purple Rain on 33.1.
The horse details:
Dassett Cool Touch – owned by Therese Miller and Dan Jocelyn
Pats Jester – owned by Kate Maitland, Therese Miller, Philip Hunt, Jo Preston-Hunt and Tim Price
Classic Moet – owned by Trisha Rickards and Jonelle Price
NZB Campino – owned by New Zealand Bloodstock and Sir Mark Todd
Lissyegan Rory – owned by Debbie Cunningham and Dan Jocelyn
Fjury – owned by Dr Anna-Louise MacKinnon
Magic Roundabout IV – owned by Laurence Hunt and Sarah Stone
Vitali – owned by Joe and Alex Giannamore
Grovine de Reve – owned by Therese Miller, Jo Preston-Hunt, Philip Hunt and Dan Jocelyn
Blackthorn Cruise – owned by Therese Miller and Panda Christie
By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison