Tim Price and James Avery have placed ninth and 15th respectively at the new Chedington Bicton Park CCI5* International Horse Trial overnight.

Tim and Ringwood Sky Boy, competing in their 18th 5* competition together, scored 26.7 penalty points in the dressage, added 11 penalties for a MiM pin and 6.4 time in their cross country, with two rails down in the showjumping to finish on 52.1 for ninth place.

“It was a good competition,” said Tim. “It was a nice day today with lots of people in attendance and was a good nail-biting finish. My horse was really good in health and felt very well, sailed through the trot up. I was very happy with his jumping but he is not the world’s greatest jumper and we just had a couple of badly balanced canters around turns and had two down. Otherwise he jumped a really nice round – you win some you lose some.”

The 18-year-old had come through the event very well “for an older horse” and Tim said he couldn’t be more pleased with that. “Gemma (Tattersall) was a worthy winner and it was a good day’s sport.”
To top off the weekend Ringwood Sky Boys groom, Jess Wilson, took out the best grooms award. 

James and My Sneezy scored 28.7 in their dressage, added 22.1 and 11 in the cross country and also had two down in the showjumping for a final tally of 68.9 in 15th place.

“It was absolutely brilliant to have a 5* run in the UK and what a job they did,” said James. “It was a true test from start to finish and kept us all thinking. It was only my second run at this level with Mr Sneezy and although it wasn’t the final result we had aimed for, I have taken some valuable information away that I can channel towards Badminton next year.”

The showjumping proved challenging with just 27.8% (five combinations) of the field going clear and only 18 of the original 32 starters completing the competition.

ESNZ high performance eventing manager Graeme Thom said it had been a great competition fuelled by a huge effort from the organisers who stood up with just 11 weeks’ notice to fill the void left by the cancellation of both Badminton and Burghley and ensure there was at least one top-ranked competition in the UK this season.

“We were all thrilled to be there,” said Graeme. “It was a tough showjumping track today and a lot of people had rails. It was a big open arena, a lovely course and very challenging. The event was great.”

Gemma Tattersall (GBR) and Chilli Knight were deserving winners as the only combination to finish on their dressage score of 27.9 penalty points. It was her first 5* win and to top off a brilliant day, her partner then proposed to her at the press conference. Pippa Funnell (GBR) and Billy Walk On were second on 28.7 with Piggy March (GBR) and Vanir Kamara third on 33.9.

CLICK HERE FOR FINAL RESULTS

THE HORSE DETAILS
Ringwood Sky Boy – owned by the late Varenna Allen, Robert Taylor and Tim Price
Mr Sneezy – owned by Tiny Clapham, Heidi and Ian Woodhead and James Avery

By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison
Photos by Libby Law/ESNZ