Prices set their sights on Rio Olympics - Mildenhall's eventing couple name their rides

Written by Tony Millett on 29 July 2015.

At a recent photocall for Prospect Hospice: Jonelle on Bango and Tim on Court Jester Tim and Jonelle Price first came to Britain in 2003.  Two years later they moved permanently to their base at Mere farm just north of Mildenhall - farm and stables owned by Tim and Melissa Brown.

Now they very much have their sights set on representing New Zealand at next year's Rio Olympics.

Their recent successes have earned them positions at the very summit of world eventing - Jonelle is currently the number one female rider in the world.   And Tim is at sixteenth position - out of a total of 3,680 riders in the International Equestrian Federation's rankings.

Horse and Hound have celebrated their successes with a three page feature  about the couple - complete with a set of excellent photographs.  In the course of the article they have named the horses they hope to take to Rio.

Tim's first choice for Rio is Wesko (owned by Christina Knudesn and the Wesko Syndicate.)  Tim and twelve-year-old Wesko won last year's the Luhmuhlen CIC4*.  Horse and Hound quote Tim: "He's a dude. He's such a strong character, he's almost human."

Tim's 'back-up' horse will probably be Bango - the nine-year-old gelding who was fifteenth at Luhmuhlen in June - his first four star event.

Jonelle's number one choice for Rio will be Trisha Rickards' and Jacky Green's Faerie Dianimo - fourth at Pau last year and second at Luhmuhlen this year.  Horse and Hound quote Tim as calling her - no doubt with a knowing smile - "a right little cow".

She is stubborn but brilliant.  In Jonelle's words: "She's the flip side of Wesko.  She's a handful every day of the week and you never quite know what is coming next....She's got an enormous heart and attitude - she thinks she is going to take on the world - and she is!"

And their prospects of making New Zealand's team for Rio?  Jonelle puts it this way: "For London, I was hanging in by a thread to get the last spot.  Hopefully this time we will be going among the front-runners.  I guess that's what four years of training and commitment does." 

There is, it should be said, quite a crowd of top ranking New Zealand eventers - most of them based in the Marlborough area - with their eyes firmly on Rio.

Rio bound

Who else will be at the Rio Olympics? The United States eventing team made sure of their place at Rio by winning the Pan-American Games 2015 at Toronto.  Eleven nations took part in the event.

The Americans took a marginal lead over the hosts in the dressage - and held onto it firmly through the cross-country and show jumping.  Winning silver were the  Brazilian team who are coached by another local New Zealander - Sir Mark Todd from Badgerstown.  Brazilian Ruy Fonesca won the individual bronze medal - with USA's Marilyn Little taking the individual gold.

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Neck surgery follows fall for local rider Andrew Nicholson

Written by Peter Davison on 12 August 2015.

Andrew NicholsonLockeridge-based eventer Andrew Nicholson has undergone neck surgery after falling at the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park on Sunday.

The New Zealander, who has three Olympic team medals to his name, was riding Cillnabradden Evo when he suffered the fall.

The 54-year-old was taken to hospital in Swindon before being transferred to John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

In a statement to Horse & Hound on Tuesday, Nicholson's family said: "Andrew underwent surgery to repair the injury to his neck. The surgery went well and his condition is stable. Andrew is comfortable and has full range of movement. His family would like to thank the many well-wishers."

Nicholson has also won three world titles in his career. He was last seen in action locally in July, when he won the CCI*** title - the feature competition at the St James's Place International Barbury Horse Trials for the fourth year running.

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Neil King's yard celebrate Southway Star's star performances: four wins in a row

Written by Tony Millett on 26 November 2014.

Southway Star (with Trevor Whelan) winning at Fontwell [photo courtesy Fontwell Park Racecourse]Up at Ridgeway Racing, Neil King's training yard at Upper Herdswick Farm near Barbury Castle, they are all very proud of nine year-old mare Southway Star.

And justifiably so: she has now won her last four races - that is four 'chase victories in 18 days. She won on her first outing for King - at Fontwell, and went on to win again at Fontwell, at Fakenham and then on Tuesday (November 25) at Lingfield.

Her win at Fontwell on November 16 was especially sweet for Neil King.  Her win gave him a hat trick of winners for the day with Zeroshadesofgrey and The Boss's Dream winning at Uttoxeter - by 20 and 13 lengths respectively.

Southway Star has been winning well - if you add up her winning lengths in those four races, she's left the others behind by a total of 58 lengths.

Neil King, who moved to Barbury from Newmarket earlier this year, bought Southway Star at October's Ascot sales for £2,300.  She had, after all, begun her racing career in 2008.

Southway StarBefore Neil King bought her she had just seven wins to her name.  But she seems to have taken against winning over the last two years.

Neil King is obviously very fond of this "this cracking little mare who jumps for fun."  She is small - and, they say, calm and good natured.  She may be even getting to like the star attention she's being paid - even on a foggy day.

She is now owned by The Ridgeway Racing For Fun syndicate - and has won them over £15,000 in prize money in those last four wins.  The syndicate has fifteen shares - and to date they are not all sold.  But with a recent record like hers, you will have to hurry to secure a share.

She is usually teamed with the yard's main jockey Trevor Whelan.  But at Fakenham the Tuesday before last (November 18), he was racing elsewhere and she was ridden to victory by Bridget Andrews.

Southway Star's next outing may be at Plumpton on Monday (December 1.)  And that would put her back over hurdles in a race for staying mares.

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New plans announced for extensive re-modelling of Newbury Racecourse

Written by Tony Millett on 23 July 2015.

Artist's impression of the new parade ring areaNewbury racecourse has announced an ambitious programme of upgrades to its racing facilities and infrastructure.  This follows - and is part paid for - by the housing developments round the perimeter of the course.

200 new homes on the site are already occupied - the next phase will include 360 new apartments.  Sale of the land for this housing has enabled infrastructure work to begin.  

A new entrance from the north by a new bridge over the railway and the new car park are nearing completion.  The bridge is expected to open in time for November's three-day bet365 Festival meeting that includes the Hennessy Gold Cup.

Newbury Racecourse stands - from the racecourse sideNow Newbury racecourse has put in planning applications for a further scheme of works in two phases - with a total estimated cost of £20million. 

The first phase would start in January with the re-modelling of the parade ring area, new entrances and re-siting of other buildings around the ring.

Phase two would major on the refurbishment of the central Berkshire Stand and the Pall Mall building.  This phase will be reviewed in 2018 when likely financial returns from the investment will be clearer.
 
Outline planning permission for a 120 bedroom 4-star hotel is still valid, but there are no immediate plans to proceed with this part of the project.

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Mildenhall's Tim Price and Wesko take dressage honours at Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event

Written by Tony Millett on 25 April 2015.

Tim Price & Wesko: Luhmuhlen cross country 2014 (Photo: courtesy Kerstin Hoffmann)New Zealand eventer Tim Price and Wesko delivered their best-ever dressage score to take equal first place at the front of the field at the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event in the United States (Friday, April 24.)

It is the pair's first appearance at the top-ranked four star event, and they share the 36.3 penalty point lead with Olympic, World and two-time European champ Michael Jung of Germany aboard La Biosthetique – Sam FBW after a very smooth test.

Tim Price, who with his wife, Jonelle, have stables just north of Mildenhall, is delighted:  “I knew he had it in him,” he said of the big warmblood with whom he won the four star crown at Luhmuhlen last year. “I know he is that good, but to do it in the ring is what we have been trying to achieve. I am just elated with him really, he is such a cool horse.”

The Kentucky event is early in the European eventing season and has attracted a truly international field - 75 entrants all eyeing Rio 2016.

Britain's William Fox-Pitt - the reigning Kentucky champion - took third place in the dressage on Bay My Hero.  Another British entry, Nicola Wilson on Annie Clover is lying in eleventh place.  

But Zara Phillips and High Kingdom had to withdraw from the competition before the dressage stage began.  High Kingdom kicked out in his stable and split the skin on his off-hind leg.  He needed stitches and was withdrawn in the best interests of the horse.

Saturday's cross country stage will be the real test - rain is forecast.   And the 13,000 crowd who watched the dressage on Friday, can expect some tight riding over a tough cross country course - and to get wet.

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Neil King's Marlborough Downs yard is ready and waiting for the winter jumps season

Written by Tony Millett on 18 October 2015.

Regulation The jump season 'proper' is about to begin, but already during the 'summer jump season' Neil King's Upper Herdswick Farm yard - by Barbury Castle - has sent out sixteen winners. In his latest newsletter, King admits that while it is 'a little early' to be looking at statistics 'it is pleasing to be in the top echelons of the trainers table.'

Sixteen winners - all over hurdles - eleven seconds and ten thirds makes for a tidy total of £88,000 in prize money for his owners.  And some of those winners have been startling successes.

Last month Lizzie Kelly rode the six year-old bay gelding Regulation to win by a length in a two mile novices hurdle at Warwick.  And twelve days later she brought him home in second place to the favoured Maputo at Huntingdon.

This is what they call an 'improving horse' - for on Friday (October 16) King's stable jockey Trevor Whelan rode Regulation to a scorching ten length win at Wincanton.  

The Racing Post summary of the race reads like a trainer's dream:  'Regulation rout:  there was a sound gallop in this competitive-looking handicap, but it was one-way traffic...Regulation absolutely routed his rivals...A winter break is probably on the cards and a flat two mile looks best for him, so targeting Aintree next April would appeal."

Regulation was entered for a two mile novice hurdle at Kempton on Sunday (October 18) - but was declared as a non-runner.  The spring will no doubt see him back to form after his winter rest.

Ballyvoneen at Neil King's Open Day in September 2015Success in horseracing often lies close to tragedy.  Neil King's newsletter pays an emotional tribute to ten year old bay gelding Ballyvoneen who had to be put down after a fall in the conditional jockeys' handicap chase at Chepstow the previous weekend (October 10.)

"Trainers', King writes, "are not supposed to have favourites but Ballyvoneen was a horse that gave me so much pleasure and who I looked forward to riding out every morning."

King had spotted this Irish bred horse while buying horses in Ireland - he could not find an owner for him and had to wait for the horse's second sales appearance to buy him for 20,000 guineas.  He was not an easy horse and finding the right jockey for him took, says King, a while.

"Once Trevor [Whelan] had got the hang of him there was no better person for him, he knew how to kid him along and let Ballyvoneen do the jumping and then once he had persuaded him into contention he was then strong enough to get the best out of him."

Then, with 56 chase runs, nine wins, seven seconds, ten thirds and £40,000 in prize money to Ballyvoneen's credit, came the Chepstow October weekend meeting:

"Saturday turned into the most awful day for us all, after absolutely winging his way over the first three fences which would have given him and Lizzie such a buzz, so sadly he made a dreadful mistake putting down into the open ditch and paid the ultimate price."

"I made it down the track in time to him to see him and hold him whilst the vet dealt with him and tearfully thanked him for being such a fabulous horse to me and for all the pleasure he had given others.   Lizzie and [stable girl] Rosie were both terribly upset, but thankfully Lizzie was not hurt any more than badly bruised and battered."

He was racing in the colours of the stables Ridgeway Racing for Fun Partnership. Neil King has received many messages from fans of the horse.  And sums up: "I'm so glad that so many other people had the respect and got enjoyment from our mere 105 rated three mile chaser, like I did and I hope you did."

The full jumps season should, with some real prospects in the yard, hold many more successes for Neil King, his jockeys and staff.  And, one hopes, no more tragedies.

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Neil King: Marlborough Downs’ new racing trainer is ready for the jump season

Written by Tony Millett on 15 September 2014.

Neil King There is now another King training racehorses on the Marlborough Downs.  This is Neil King who held the first open day at his Ridgeway Racing yard on Sunday (September 14) at Upper Herdwick Farm just east of Barbury Castle.

From the top of Ridgeway Racing’s new all-weather gallop you can look over toward the other King’s yard and glimpse Alan King’s gallops and the Barbury Horse Trials grounds.  The landscape of Neil King’s 300 acre training area is truly amazing – with views across it and beyond it to hold the eye whatever the weather.

The new gallopNeil and his wife Clare only arrived in Wiltshire from his previous Newmarket yard at the end of July.  Already he and his staff – some moved with him from Newmarket and some are new, local hires – have transformed the yard and gallops, developing the yard he took over from its previous occupant, trainer Jim Old.

The covered training ring is now more spacious and has a floor of waxed sand recycled from Wolverhampton’s all-weather track. They have a new horse walker and have renovated the three staff bungalows.

At the open day, Neil King told the owners – including many from the yard’s ownership syndicate, the Racing for Fun Partnership – that he had already benefitted from the chalk downs’ ability to absorb rain.  The rains of August, he said, would have kept him off his Newmarket grass for many days.

Trevor WhelanOpen days are mainly about horses.  King brought a handful from Newmarket and has been busy assembling new owners and buying new horses.  He trains for the National Hunt (NH) jump season, but has already had winners from Upper Herdwick farm in this summer’s NH flat races.

Helping the staff lead out the horses was Trevor Whelan – first jockey for the yard.  King said Whelan had been “key to many of our successes this season.” He rode 17 out of the yard’s 25 winners – as well as another 12 winners for other trainers.  This put him third in the conditional jockey’s title.

Thirty-five horses were paraded for the visitors – among them horses for sale and horses to watch this coming National Hunt season all with the added plus of their local interest.  In the best tradition of taking a pin to select a horse from the race card, here are five of the horses currently at Neil King’s yard – just a sample:

Looks Like Magic	LOOKS LIKE MAGIC – is a five-year-old grey gelding owned by Mark and Tracy Harrod.  Neil King bought him for them in November 2012.  In summer 2013 he ran a creditable fourth at Stratford.  Last June he had an unsuccessful outing at Fontwell.  But he is now looking good for the autumn.  He is a very attractive looking horse.
Mercers Court	MERCERS COURT – a six-year-old bay gelding. Since April he has twice come second at Fontwell.  But at the third attempt, when set to win, he jinked to the side and unseated Trevor Whelan for a painful fall.  Neil King reckons he has a future as “a nice chaser in due course.”  Owned by David Nott, Ken Lawrence & Tim Messom.
Zeroeshadesofgrey	ZEROESHADESOFGREY  – is a five-year-old grey gelding from Ireland.  Last year, having been turned out for the summer, he came back, says King, “looking twice the horse he was.” He won two bumpers early this year and is “an exciting hurdler for the new season.”  Owned by Mrs J.K.Buckle.
Town Mouse	TOWN MOUSE – is a four-year-old chestnut gelding.  After four disappointing runs, he came good a year ago at Huntingdon at 50-1: “I think it was quite a good race he won there, and he has since confirmed this was no fluke, finishing second at Kempton and winning again at Huntingdon.”  He won again at Huntingdon in November 2013. This year he has come home fourth in two of his five races.  But you are not likely to find a bookie giving 50-1 on him now.  Owned by Brian bell & John Smith.
Tender Surprise	TENDER SURPRISE – a five-year-old bay filly.  She has had her problems while in training, but is now, says King, “in the form of her life”.  And to prove it in July she won two hurdle races at Uttoxeter meetings.  She may run at Plumpton this coming Sunday (September 21) – one to watch. Owned by David Howes.

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New Zealand eventer Lizzie Brown starts the 2015 season from her new base on the Marlborough Downs

Written by Tony Millett on 06 February 2015.

Lizzie Brown with DaffyThe new eventing season in Britain begins in a few weeks time, and New Zealander Lizzie Brown is in the midst of some hectic preparations.  She is now in the official New Zealand High Performance Eventing Accelerator Squad - and had her first day's training with them on Thursday (February 5.)

Last September Lizzie moved from stables at Milton Lilbourne, near Pewsey to the Wickdown Stables up on the Marlborough Downs - right at the heart of the Temple Farm Estate.  She has nine horses and the help of working pupil Rupert Betting - who has his own eventing horse there too: "We help each other - it's a two-way thing."  A new head groom joins them very soon.

Even on a wintry afternoon with snow still lying on roofs and on untrodden paths and a piercing wind blowing, it is a wonderful place to be.  As you drive up to the stables your attention is caught along the way by four soaring buzzards, a red kite and a couple of hunting kestrels.

Apart from eleven boxes, Lizzie has an indoor and outdoor school, a grass dressage arena, cross country and show jumps and is within easy hacking distance of some of the county's best gallops.

Lizzie & Frank winning at Boekelo (2013) (photo copyright Libby Law Photography - NZ)Originally from Hamilton, New Zealand, after successful years eventing on home courses (in 2009-2010 she was the leading event rider in New Zealand), Lizzie came to England in 2011.   In choosing Wiltshire she was following in the footsteps of fellow Kiwi eventing stars Sir Mark Todd (now at Badgerstown), Andrew Nicholson (Lockeridge), Jonelle and Tim Price (Mildenhall.)

Lizzie had a break-through year in 2013 when she and her then 12 year-old chestnut gelding Henton Attorney General (known as Frank) won the CCI three star crown at Boekolo in Holland.  And that was just two months after the pair had won the CCI two star class at the Blair Castle international.

Lizzie told Marlborough News Online about Frank: "He's a great horse - I was lucky to get him at that stage in my career."  She favours New Zealand bred horses: "They're tough and sturdy - lovely horses to ride - after all I grew up with them."

Another New Zealand import is Princeton II - known as OJ - a nine year-old brown gelding that Lizzie owns: "He's really shaping up - and he'll step up this year.  He should be back-up behind Frank in the run-up to the Olympics."  (See photo below.)

Lizzie is realistic about being selected for the New Zealand team: "It's a lot to do with how this year goes.  You just have to work hard.  The team picks itself because of riders being on form and horses that are fit."  Beyond the 2016 Rio Olympics, there are the next World Equestrian Games in 2018 at Bromont in Canada.

One of Lizzie's younger horses is six year-old Cinque Terre - known as Daffy and seen above with Lizzie - a 16-hands brown mare who began eventing last season.  She's still a novice and aiming for one star in the coming season: "She has springs in her feet, is a joy to ride and is the true definition of a pocket rocket! She is an exciting prospect for 2015."

Being a New Zealander on the British eventing circuit has its difficulties.  She has to get the agreement of both the New Zealand and British eventing authorities before she can enter a British competition.  And then, with the increasing popularity of the sport, for many events competitors face a ballot for places in each class: "It's a bit of a pain to do all the work and then not get into an event."

It is just as well that back in 2008 Lizzie began studying full-time at Waikato University and has a bachelor degree in business management.  Eventing is an expensive business and managing the costs is essential.

Jonny Royale ready for some dressage workShe estimates it costs about £10,000 a year for each horse.  But that is reduced by sponsors who provide feed, tack, safety gear and clothing.  Lizzie is very grateful to her sponsors and in addition is always looking for people to buy shares in her horses.

Shares are still available for one of Lizzie's younger horses: Jonny Royale.   A steel grey gelding, Jonny is a six year-old New Zealand thoroughbred - by all accounts a lovely mover and an intelligent horse.

The future looks bright with Jonny and Daffy and three even younger horses that have just arrived at the stables.

Many thanks to Libby Law for the use of her two action photographs.  Libby's worldwide photographic coverage focuses on New Zealand's eventers. [Click on photos to enlarge them.]  

Lizzie and Princeton: NZ high performance training under team showjumping coach Luis Alverez Cervera (photo copyright Libby Law Photography - NZ)

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