Kiwi jockey Jonelle Price will head into the final event of the Badminton Horse Trials as the leader after a near-perfect run in this morning's difficult cross-country run.
The 37-year-old and her mare, Classic Moet, jumped from 22nd to first after finishing just one second over the optimum time.
The result was even more impressive considering Price and Classic Moet got into trouble in the lake feature when the mare got too close to a jump and twisted awkwardly in mid-air to recover.
"I was a bit rusty and too strong – it was my fault – so we had to abort," Price said.
However, the duo recovered and finished with just 0.4 penalty points to sit at 28 penalty points overall - which puts them level with English contender Oliver Townshend on Ballaghmor Class but ahead overall with their superior cross-country run.
"I had been up on the clock until then and we were then 12-15 seconds down, so as soon as we were through the Shogun Hollow, I thought 'let's go'.
"She's some mare, so un-special that she's special, and she makes me look good. When I first got her, as a 10-year-old, I didn't think she had enough scope, but she's your best friend."
Sir Mark Todd, who sat second yesterday after the dressage section of the three-day event, sits in sixth on Kiltubrid Rhapsody after receiving 10 penalty points in a slow run of the cross-country course. His second entry with Leonidas II is 10th.
Kiwi defending champion Andrew Nicholson and Nereo sit 12th while Price's husband Tim is 14th with Ringwood Sky Boy.
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