New Zealand’s eventers are well in touch with the podium after the dressage at Versailles.
They lie fourth, just a smidgen behind France. Clarke Johnstone, aboard Menlo Park, fared the best of the New Zealanders in the dressage and is ninth in the individual standings with the cross country and showjumping to come.
Johnstone was ecstatic with his horse’s efforts. “I’ve been dreaming of doing a test like that at the Olympics,” he said. “I’m so excited. It’s pretty amazing. He’s fit but calm. I’ve been thinking he could do a test like that… It’s just a great, great result.”
Tim Price on Falco was happy with his 12th place after a 26.5 penalty point effort.
“It’s just fun to have him here,” he said. “He’s the ideal championship horse, just not quite as fancy as some of those lovely ones out there today. He was very fresh, but he stayed with me more than not, so we were able to just quietly pick up a few good points around the place and sort of mitigate the damage here and there.”
Jonelle Price and Hiarado were out first for New Zealand and posted a 30.8.
“It was so close to being really good,” said the four-time Olympian of their dressage test, which put them into 27th place.
Leading the pack is Laura Collett aboard London 52 with an Olympic record 17.5 penalty point effort.
Defending champions Great Britain lead the team standings on 66.7, with Germany second on 74.1, and France in third on 81.2. New Zealand are very much in touch on 83.