Kiwi Tim Price leads Burghley Horse Trials after tough cross country

Tim Price of New Zealand. Photo / Getty Images.

New Zealand equestrian Tim Price tops the leaderboard at the Burghley Horse Trials in England after the cross-country phase, as overnight leader Sir Mark Todd had a day to forget.

Price and his horse Ringwood Sky Boy remained composed as they conquered the challenging cross country course, coming home just outside of the time allowed to add 0.4 penalty points to their tally and finish the day on 27.3 early Sunday morning (NZT).

Andrew Nicholson is the next best placed New Zealander in fifth.

Overnight leader Todd fell off his horse Kiltubrid Rhapsody and they were eliminated, though he did finish on Campino and they're in 19th.

"I am so pleased with him," said Price. "He just ate it up. He showed all his class and experience. I am pretty elated. It was as near to a foot perfect round as far as riding a plan that I think I have had around a 4*. It comes down to a horse that I know very well and vice versa, and perfect conditions. It was just a nice day at the office and they come around every so often - I will take it."

With less than a rail across the top four, there will be plenty of pressure at tomorrow's showjumping.

"He's not the world's best showjumper," said Price of Ringwood Sky Boy, "but he is the world's greatest trier. I think both my horses have come into this competition as good as you could have hoped . . . and we hope for good day tomorrow."