MARLBOROUGH-based rider Tim Price has added another top trophy to his cabinet with a win in the in the CCIYH3*-L for seven-year-olds at the FEI Eventing World Breeding Championships at Mondial du Lion in France.

Riding Happy Boy, Tim quietly made his way up through the field to finish on a dressage score of 30.1 penalty points in the 67-strong field.

He came into the final phase in eighth position, but as one of just two faultless rounds, he topped the leaderboard.

Praising his black gelding, Price said: “It was obviously very unexpected to climb the leaderboard quite to that level, but I did have a lot of faith in Happy Boy’s jumping ability.

“He is a good deliberate jumper and really loves his jumping.”

The combination had notched a personal best with their 30.1 penalty point dressage score and backed it up with perfect cross country and show jumping phases.

“He woke up today really well and healthy and I was up for the challenge of being one of the few clears inside the top 10, said Price.

“It was really cool and exciting to see him keep climbing and great for his owners, long-time supporter Susan Lamb and Therese Miller.

“He has always been a bit of a cheeky chappy, and it was great that we have been able to put it all together.”

Price felt the adverse conditions in France had worked in their favour, saying: “It has always been subject to the conditions.

“It is often quite deep going in the show jumping and not a lot of clear rounds typically, so we were able to benefit from that kind of situation. I am really pleased.”