TIM Price has high hopes for his charge Falco IV after the Marlborough-based eventer triumphed in the Novice H class at the weekend’s Barbury Horse Trials.

After a posting the leading dressage score of 24.8, Price and Falco IV produced two clear runs in the showjumping and cross-country legs to beat fellow New Zealander Jesse Campbell, on board May Ryloa, into second on 29.7. Brit Mary King scored 30.2 for third on King Bill.

Prices concedes that his seven-year-old mount still has much to learn but expects it to be challenging for higher honours back at Barbury in the future.

“I was really pleased. He is a classy young horse and he is a very new novice. He jumped very well and he is lovely – he is going to be a really nice horse, I think,” said Price.

“He certainly is (one of my brightest prospects). He’s got the jump, he can move, he can gallop, all the things that you want. He has got a great temperament, so he is one to watch.

“He is pretty raw so we will bring him along tenderly and sympathetically. He is a good horse so we will try to look after him.

“He will be a couple of years away from doing the major class here but when he gets there, he will be ready to fire.

“He won’t be one that needs to get established at the top level before he becomes competitive, it will be more about getting him there the right way so that when he is there, he is ready to be competitive.”

Price was also sixth in the Novice K category on Smooth Emperor and, on board Danturano K, finished 13th in the CIC** Section E class and was delighted to be part of another successful showing at his ‘home’ event.

“Nothing compares to Barbury. There’s some pretty cool events out there but the good events have their own uniqueness and Barbury has got that,” said Price.

“They are lucky to have it situated the way it is in this valley as you can see everything from one position.

“And the owners, Nigel and Penny Bunter, really get behind it.

“Every year they try to make it bigger and better and more modern to cater to the right areas – it’s not all about the horses, it’s about how they look after people to keep them wanting to come back, and they do that very well and they are always improving.

“That’s what the riders recognise in it and that’s what the sport needs and they are spearheading that way of doing things, so it’s something to be very proud of.”

Marlborough-based eventer Andrew Nicholson won the third leg of the Event Rider Masters series on Nereo, while Australian Chris Burton completed a fine weekend to claim the CIC*** on Polystar I.