New Zealand event rider Tim Price has made it to the top spot in the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) World Eventing Rankings announced yesterday (June 4).
Tim Price is based at Mildenhall and lives in Marlborough with his wife Jonelle – who won Badminton last year – and their young son Otis. In the rankings to the end of May, he is placed ahead of four British riders – with Oliver Townend in second place and Piggy French at third.
Andrew Nicholson, whose stables are at Lockeridge, was New Zealand’s last No. 1 ranked rider, holding the top slot for six months in 2012, all of 2013 and the first quarter of 2014. In the latest FEI rankings he is the only other New Zealander in the top ten – at eighth place, up from 31 the previous month.
Graeme Thom, Equestrian Sports New Zealand eventing’s high performance manager, reports that the whole team is thrilled for Tim’s achievement: “Tim’s natural ability, unflagging determination and grace in both victory and defeat has produced a model paladin who New Zealand is understandably very proud of.”
For 40-year-old Tim, who is a two-time Olympian, it has been a while in the making: “I have to admit to wanting to achieve this for some time. It’s gone from a dream, to a driving force, to a reality. It is a great marker point for my career . . . long may it continue!”
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