Burghley is ‘such a lovely place’, says world number one Tim Price
Tim Price admits he is "a bit of a sucker" for Defender Burghley after underlining strong claims to land another five-star title with his rides at this year's event.
The New Zealander will enter Saturday's cross-country phase with Falco holding third spot and Global Quest lying sixth as he targets a second Burghley triumph eight years after his first aboard Ringwood Sky Boy.
Tim has won six five-star competitions during his glittering career, and 17-year-old Falco, particularly, is strongly-placed for more success after landing Pau in 2021 and being second at Maryland three years later.
"I am a bit of a sucker for Burghley," Tim said. "I love it here, and maybe that comes through, because the horses have been really nice and relaxed.
"I think everyone comes from a very busy year to this point and we all just take a bit of a breath, other than the very formidable cross-country we have to deal with tomorrow.
"The horses seem very happy, and I don't know what else it is about it, just that Burghley has got a grandeur, It is such a lovely place to come, and we are all here giving the biggest competition in the world a go, so there is a real nice honesty here with all the riders and everything."
Tim and Falco were the penultimate combination from 48 starters to complete their dressage test, with a score of 30.5 tucking them in behind leader Nadja Minder and Gemma Stevens, in second.
"He is such a cool horse," Tim added. "I was really happy with him today, and as with Global Quest's dressage test, I really enjoyed it.
"Falco has got a really interesting story, because he is missing a few teeth and he has had a couple of issues that have had him on the sidelines over the last few years, but he looks better than ever.
"He had a tumour in his tummy that meant him needing six or eight months off, and just recently he has a disease that affects older horses. So the result of that is he had to have his top incisors taken out, bless him. But he is a good eater, and he would never let that get in the way of a good meal, and he is much happier without them in.
"He has been an amazing little horse for Sue Benson, who owns him, and I over the last 12-13 years, and yeah, he is just one out of the box."