New Zealand Olympian Tim Price debuts in Eventing world number one slot

Olympic athlete Tim Price (NZL) has topped the FEI Eventing World Rankings for the first time, overtaking Ros Canter (GBR) who last month ended the reign of compatriot Oliver Townend to hold the position for just 31 days.

Tim Price (40), who has been competing for over 15 years at the top level of the sport, took part in his first Olympic Games in Rio 2016, where team New Zealand finished fourth, one fence off the medals.

A sensational year in 2018 established his presence as a prominent athlete, with wins at Burghley CCI4* (GBR) with Ringwood Sky Boy and Blair Castle CCI3* (GBR) with Pats Jester. His second FEI World Equestrian Games™ outing at Tryon 2018 resulted in an eighth place finish in the individual and seventh in the team standings with Cekatinka JRA.

His third place finish at the CCI5*-L in Lexington (USA) this year with Xavier Faer was a contributing factor to his rise to the top, along with 10^th place at Badminton CCI5*-L with Ringwood Sky Boy.

“I have to admit to wanting to achieve this for some time”, he said, following the release of the latest FEI World Eventing Rankings. “It’s gone from a dream, to a driving force, to a reality.

“It feels pretty special that’s for sure, mainly because it’s more a recognition of consistency, rather than just outright winning. I try to bring the best out of every opportunity I have. Not always to win, but always in a way that has my horses wanting to give effort for their own satisfaction and enjoyment. For me, it’s the coming together of all the hard work, a strong focus and great partnership with my equine friends.”

Former world number one Ros Canter has dropped to number four in the rankings. Other big movers in the top 10 are Kristina Cook (GBR), up from 33^rd to fifth, Australia’s Christopher Burton, from 37^th to sixth, and Andrew Nicholson (NZL), who has jumped from 31^st to eighth.

With more CCI5*-L and CCI4*-L competitions coming up in the next few months and the FEI Eventing European Championship in Luhmühlen (GER) from 28 August – 1 September 2019 there will certainly be more exciting sport action to follow and more changes in the ranking list can be expected.

View full FEI World Eventing Rankings here.

Tim Price – early career

Tim Price started competing at the top level in 2002 with a horse called Desamoray.

After several attempts at the top level he was ranked 20^th at Pau CCI4* (FRA) with his horse Vortex in 2008. The duo claimed the same spot at Badminton CCI4* the following year. His first CCI4* win came at Luhmühlen (GER) in 2014 with Wesko, and the same partnership came second at the CCI4* in Lexington the year after.

Tim is married to Jonelle Price (NZL), who is also a world class Eventing athlete having won team bronze at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

They became the first husband and wife to represent New Zealand in Eventing at the Olympic Games when they participated together at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. They also became the first married couple from New Zealand to compete at a World Equestrian Games (WEG) when they rode at the 2014 WEG in Normandy (FRA).