NZL Power Couple Celebrate Achievements at Burghley

Written by Niki Hinman

UK-based New Zealand eventing power couple, Tim and Jonelle Price, have finished Burghley International Horse Trials in third and fourth place.

Tim and his ride Vitali took the prize from HRH Princess Anne at the event (feature image). 

One of the toughest competitions of the eventing circuit, which was won by Piggy March and the 17-year-old five-star stalwart Vanir Kamira, finished on Sunday 4 September.

The winning combo put in a superb round over the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials cross-country course to finish just one second over the optimum time.

A superb show jumping round clinched the title. 

For Tim and Jonelle, it’s always a contest, with Jonelle admitting that she didn’t even look at her husband before going in to the show jumping arena on the final day.

Speaking after the event she said of her horse, Classic Moet:  “It’s been a phenomenal day for her. She felt as good as ever today.”

Tim’s dressage phase opened proceedings on day two (Friday, 2 September) with a scintillating display. Vitali scored 21.3, the third best test of all time at Burghley.

The 12-year-old produced a beautifully soft and harmonious test with no mistakes to reap the high scores. His horse made every movement look easy.

Tim’s ride, Vitali, had not been around the punishing Burghley course before.

“It was a must jump clear today,” he said, reflecting on the three poles down in the show jumping. 

“But he has just been amazing, and really excelled in the dressage and cross country. He is class and what he showed me has got me really excited for the future.” 

Jonelle Price defied a broken watch to be the only rider to finish under the time in the cross-country phase. 

Price, with  Classic Moet, roared around the course in a time of 11:17, three seconds under par, to catapult herself up the standings into third overnight. 

But it all came down to the showjumping on the final day of the three day event where hubby Tim pipped her at the post.

Asked if they have a husband and wife competition between them, Jonelle said:  “Well, lets’ just say I’d prefer if it was the other way round. He’s got me this week but it’s not much longer ’til the next one!”