Equestrian: Price second at four star event

Jonelle Price. Photo / Libby Law Photography

Jonelle Price is knocking on the door of a four star eventing victory, but has a little longer to wait.

The world class New Zealand eventer finished second aboard 10-year-old grey Faerie Dianimo at the Luhmuhlen event in Germany early today. German Ingrid Klimke won aboard FRH Escada JC with 32.7 pebnalty points, just a solitary .1 point ahead of Price.

Another German star Michael Jung took third on La Biosthetique-Sam a further 3.6 points back.

It was Faerie Dianimo's second four star start and the combination produced their best ever dressage score and no penalties on the cross country or show jumping phses.

"Obviously it was very close to a win, but I couldn't have asked for any more from her," Price said.

"In all three phases she was immaculate and it is nice to know we can be up in the mix. To be sandwiched between those two is no mean feat."

All five of the top combinations going into the showjumping were within a single rail. It was the first time a mare has won the event.

"Give us another six to 12 months and I might be able to find that point one," Price quipped. "She has exceeded my expectation. I think we knocked 15 marks off the dressage phase and I never thought we could have done that."

Price is now fourth in the Classics standings, which are led by Klimke.

Mark Todd was delighted too after finishing fifth on NZB Campino, on 36.5 points.

"I am chuffed to bits with him," said Todd. "It's taken a while to get him back to this level."

It was Campino's first four star completion since the 2012 London Olympics.

"He has lots of ability. We took him to the Olympics relatively unprepared and have had bad luck ever since with him. He has now proved himself, although normally he does a better dressage. I am also riding him a bit differently, and he is much happier. He is worthy of going to the Olympics again and we can relax a bit now he is qualified."

It was a tough finish for Jesse Campbell and Kaapachino in their first four star start. The youngster rode brilliantly in the dressage and cross country to sit in sixth position going into the showjumping, where time was proving very tight.

Their 16 jumping faults and five time penalties saw them slip to 16th spot, just behind Tim Price and Bango.

However, Campbell won the Ariet prize of new boots for the closest to the optimum time on the cross country.

In the three star CIC discipline, Jonelle Price and Cloud Dancer were the best of the Kiwis with their fifth place finish.

They were poised for a podium finish going into the showjumping, but as the rails tumbled, so did the placings.

The class was won by Andreas Ostholt (GER) aboard So is Et on 42.8.