Equestrian: Kiwi rider in top three in Germany

Kiwi eventer Jonelle Price. Photo / Libby Law Photography.

Kiwi eventer Jonelle Price is well placed at the Luhmühlen International Horse Trials in Germany, sitting in third in the four-star event and second in the three-star competition at the end of the dressage phase.

The world No 5 was over the moon with the efforts of her grey mare Faerie Dianimo who scored 32.8 penalty points - Price's best-ever dressage score.

"I was surprised how well she did today," she said. "She can be quite difficult and it took me a lot of time and work to get her on my side.

"I knew she had all the potential to do an exceptional test, but she has never been this consistent before. This is only her second four star event after Pau, so I am hoping for a nice round tomorrow. She has a big jump in her and is super-fast, so the course should be very well suited to her."

Belgium's Julien Despotin and Waldano lead the four star event on 31.9, with Germany's Ingrid Klimke and FRH Escada JS just behind on 32.7.

Sir Mark Todd is the next best of the Kiwis with his 36.5 effort on NZB Campino. Jesse Campbell and Kaapachino were eighth (36.8 points) and Lizzie Brown 10th with Henton Attorney General ( 38.2).

Campbell and Brown are both on debut at four-star level.

In the three-star event, Germany's Pia Munker (34.6) leads from Price and Cloud Dancer ( 36.9).

Tim Price and The Court Jester (48.6) sit just outside the top 10.

Tonight will see the start of the all-important cross country phase, in which designer Captain Mark Phillips has reversed the direction of the course this year, giving it a "completely new approach".