Equestrian: Price wins four star Luhmuhlen trial

Tim Price, winner of the CCI4 at the Luhmühlen International Horse Trials in Germany. Photo / Libby Law Photography.

New Zealand rider Tim Price pulled off the biggest win of his eventing career with victory in the four star Luhmuhlen trial in Germany today.

Price and Wesko were the only combination to finish on their dressage score of 43.8 penalty points.

They were seventh after dressage and trailed world, Olympic and European champion Michael Jung of Germany.

When Price had a clear jumping round, Jung and fischerRocana FST knocked a rail down.
American Boyd Martin and Sharnwari 4 finished third.

Price has shot up the FEI Classics standings - where points are awarded for performances and six key event - now sitting third on 17 points, with one event, Burghley in September, to run.

It was his first start at Luhmuhlen and something he had looked forward to for a long time.

The only other four star start for Wesko, an 11-year-old Dutch bred horse, was at Badminton, where the two parted company at the water.

"I had a real need to right that ship. There was the added pressure of it being world champs year too, and there is so much hinging on a big solid result," Price said.

The event was tinged with sadness, with young German rider Benjamin Winter dying after a fall during the cross country phase.

Price and Wesko had enjoyed victories in the three star event at Tattersalls in Ireland and the three star at Blair Castle last year. Price finished ninth at Badminton last month aboard Ringwood Sky Boy.

"Yesterday's cross country was a real achievement for this horse, and today was an added bonus. I know how well he can showjump and he cam out and jumped a class round."
Price had a four-hour wait while a check was done on whether he had missed a flag in the main area.

"They couldn't review it until the class had finished, so I was on the edge of my seat for a while there."

Price's wife, Olympic bronze medallist Jonelle, was the best of the other New Zealanders, finishing 12th on Classic Moet with 70.5 points, and 16th on The Deputy on 74.5 points.

Mark Todd and Oloa were 21st on 81.4 points, with Kate Wood and Easy Tiger 27th on 96.3.