New Zealand’s eventing team finished eighth and Tim Price aboard Falco picked up the sixth individual slot. today
The Chateau of Versailles proved the most stunning of backdrops for the equestrian competition and crowds flocked.
It was the British juggernaut that unsurprisingly won the teams competition for a record-breaking fifth time, comfortably ahead of hosts France with Japan the surprising bronze winners, on the podium for the first time.
The individual competition was again won by German Michael Jung riding Chipmunk FRH, from Australian Chris Burton on Shadow Man and Great Britain’s Laura Collett with London 52.
It was a disappointing day for the New Zealand eventers.
Tim Price managed double clear rounds in the showjumping today to finish on 28.5 penalty points, and he was chuffed with his horse.
“He’s a great jumper and I’m very spoilt to be on him,” he said. “He came into this competition very fit and well. Yesterday he had an easy time of it and he has woken up today feeling like he normally does. I’m very pleased with my guy.”
Clarke Johnstone and Menlo Park made it through to the top 25 second round of the individual competition but were disappointed with a rail and time in each, leaving them in 18th spot.
“My horse tried his heart out and he has given everything this week,” he said.
Jonelle Price figured it simply wasn’t her week with Hiarado.
“I’ve had her two years and she hasn’t had a single fence down, so you can see why I went in with confidence. I really thought we had a shot at a top 10 finish individually. Sometimes it just doesn’t go your way, but you have to hang in there and keep fighting.”
Jung won the individual on 21.8 with Burton second on 22.4 and Collett on 23.1. The Brits won the teams event on 91.3 penalty points with France second on 103.6 and Japan third on 115.6. New Zealand finished on 134.6.