New Zealand equestrian Jonelle Price just missed out on her first four star win, after finishing second overnight at the Luhmühlen International Horse Trials in Germany, between two superstar riders.
Jonelle Price on Faerie Dianimo, Luhmühlen, 2015. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Price and the 10-year-old British-bred mare Faerie Dianimo were just .1 of a penalty point behind winner Ingrid Klimke of Germany, who currently leads the FEI Classics series.
It was Faerie Dianimo's second four star start and the duo notched their best-ever dressage score, and added nothing to the tally through the cross country or showjumping phases of the CCI4 class.
Klimke and FRH Escada JS won on 32.7, with Price on 32.8 and Michael Jung, also from Germany, aboard La Biosthetique-Sam FBW, third on 36.4.
Price says she couldn't have asked for any more from her partner.
"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 [Klimke and Jung] is no mean feat," she said.
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. 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 in fourth place in the Classics Standings.
Also very happy was Sir Mark Todd who finished fifth on NZB Campino.
It was Campino's first four star completion since the 2012 London Olympics.
"It's taken a while to get him back to this level ... he has now proved himself. 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."
