No drama at the jog for Team Price as they all flew through the trot up on Wednesday afternoon in lovely sunshine. Thursday morning saw the 4*Short dressage and it was pretty warm but by the time 1.30 local time came around the rain clouds were building in the background although the forecast was till uncertain.
Tim and Jarillo (Milo) headed down the centre line as pathfinders and Milo was super happy to have had quiet warm up arenas and a huge main arena all to himself. He nailed a superb test to score 28.5 and Tim’s comment afterwards was class. ” He is a lovely horse to ride and it’s a real treat to bring him here”. Milo’s debut 5 star was in bottomless conditions in Pau last year but it looks like, and no surprise here, Kentucky is very much to his liking.
Next up Hiarado (Jools) and Jonelle. There had been spots of rain in between horses but the weather Gods held fast forJools. They laid down a solid 5 star test for a score of 70% and there was so much to take from the overall performance. Jonelle looked delighted as well she should be… she and Jools have come a long way in their time together and it was a polished 5 star performance that bodes well for the future. Although she did add that she was a little disappointed not to break into the twenties and there was clearly more to do!
Tim and Happy Boy rode in blazing sunshine and Happy rose to the occasion with aplomb. They scored a 29.1 and, one would hope, nailed their colours to the mast. The second flying change was not as good as the others but that was pretty much his only error and he also looked like he felt he belonged in that sensational main arena.
Tim sits in equal second alongside fellow Paris team member Clarke Johnstone (Menlo Park) on Milo, 4th on Happy and Jonelle is in 6th. Michi Jung is way out in front on the legendary Chipmunk and it was a very impressive test. Although I am not sure that all the riders agreed with the judge at C that it was quite worth 88%.
Tomorrow sees Falco get to strut his stuff as the atmosphere builds towards the weekend.
Interesting podcast that Tim recorded a couple of weeks ago about his Kentucky preparations:
https://www.kentuckythreedayevent.com/behind-the-barn-2025-tim-price
Photo credit Rosie Thomas. L to R: Louella, Rosie and Beth and Alice Dorman, Team NZ equine physio.
