Equestrian: New Zealand win Nations Cup

Tim Price and Cekatinka were part of the eventing team who won gold. Photo / Photosport

New Zealand's prowess in eventing has produced another fine victory, this time winning the Nations Cup title in Aachen, Germany for the first time.

Indeed it was the first time the Germans have been beaten in the event on home turf.

The New Zealand team consisted of four four-star event champions, the highest category in the sport.

Tim Price was aboard Cekatinka, Clarke Johnstone on Balmoral Sensation, double Olympic champion Mark Todd aboard Kiltubrid Rhapsody and Blyth Tait on Havanna and importantly all finished the event to ensure maximum points opportunities.

Price finished third overall, Johnstone fifth, Todd 13th and Tait 15.

Between that quartet, New Zealand can boast 14 four star eventing titles, Todd has nine, Tait three, Price and Johnstone one apiece.

New Zealand had been second after the dressage phase, but slipped one spot by the end of the show jumping stage before storming home to win on the back of outstanding cross country work.

New Zealand finished on 112.9 penalty points, with France second on 130.5 and Swden third on 146.3. Germany had to settle for fifth.

"We executed a team-driven plan," Price said.

"We just wanted to be consistent through all three phases. All of us Kiwis worked cohesively very, very well. I am super happy for this and excited going forward.''

Aachen is considered to be the closest event to a true championship outside of the Olympics and World Equestrian Games.