The New Zealand equestrian Tim Price and Wesko have ridden a clear cross-country round to hold on to their lead at the Kentucky Three Day Event in the United States.
The New Zealand equestrian Tim Price. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Persistent wind and rain didn't stop the Kiwi eventer, who has a slender point four of a penalty point lead over Germany's Olympic champion Michael Jung who sits in second on LA Biosthetique.
Price, who took the lead after the dressage, was impressed by his horse on the Derek di Grazia-designed cross-country course.
"He was fresh and can catch them out a little bit at the hollow. He's very quick on the long way round, he's tight on his turns and still had plenty of gas in the tank," said Price.
The 12-year-old Dutch warmblood won an event last year at the Luhmuhlen horse trials in Germany.
New Zealand's Emily Cammock and Dambala also rode a clear round with 11.2 time faults, that saw them move from 38th to 18th after the cross country.
Dambala has been withdrawn from the rest of the event, however, after aggravating an old suspensory injury.
Of the 71 starters, there were just six combinations clear and inside the optimum time, with 26 going clear but picking up time faults, 15 eliminated and 10 retired on course.
Results (after dressage and cross country phases):
1. Tim Price (NZL) Wesko (owned by Christina Knudsen and the Wesko Syndicate) 36.3
2. Michael Jung (GER) LA Biosthetique - Sam FBW 36.7
3. Michael Jung (GER) Fischerrocana FST 39.3
4. William Fox-Pitt (GBR) Bay My Hero 46.9
