WILTSHIRE-BASED eventer Tim Price claimed the third Five-Star win of his career at the weekend when triumphing at the Luhmühlen Horse Trials.

New Zealander Price, who is based near Marlborough, took victory on board Ascona M in the Longines CCI5*-L class event in Germany.

Price, who recently climbed to number one in the world rankings, also finished on top of the podium in Luhmühlen in 2014 as well as at Burghley last year.

The 40-year-old’s success also kept the Luhmühlen trophy in the Price family following victory for his wife, Jonelle, at the event 12 months ago.

Price and grey mare Ascona M picked up time penalties in the showjumping but still finished 2.1 penalty points ahead of runner-up Tom McEwen and Figaro van het Broekxhof.

“I am delighted with my mare – she was super,” said Price.

“I’m so happy that things went so well again this year. It makes me really proud that Ascona has performed so consistently in all three phases.

“She does have a bit of an unconventional jumping technique, but that’s because she always tries so hard to do everything right.”

It was an agonising final day for Price, though, as he waited for his time to enter the showjumping arena as riders ran in reverse order.

“It was that usual feeling of a tense stomach you get when you are in that position and have a bit of time to kill and things to do in order to get to your showjumping,” he said.

“You just go into methodical mode. She warmed up really well, with plenty of juice in the tank and then she went in and just jumped super.

“I knew at that stage I had a bit of time up my sleeve so I decided to take a bit of time but jump a clear round and that is exactly what happened. I couldn’t be more pleased.”

Price and Ascona M were second after the dressage but took the lead following a tough cross-country run to finish the event on 31.4 penalty points. Just 22 of the original 33 starters completed all three phases.

Eleven-year-old Ascona M was initially Jonelle’s ride before moving across the pair’s yard in 2017.

They had an ideal lead in to Luhmühlen, winning the CCI4*-S at Tattersalls, but this was their first tilt at a CCI5*-L – the highest ranked competition in eventing and one of just six at this level in the world.