Tim and Ringwood Sky Boy couldn't replicate their success at Burghley but there are still things to be gained on a difficult course ...
Tim Price encountered two problems on course at Rolex Kentucky with a run out at the influential skinny and adding another 20 penalties late in the course. With 34.4 time faults added to their 40 jump faults they finished the day in 39th position which is obviously disappointing for Tim who finished second here in 2015 on Wesko and fourth on Ringwood Sky Boy at Burghley last year
“It was just gruelling” says Tim of the course “I don’t think I could have been better prepared with my guy (Ringwood Sky Boy) but such is the game and you don’t know till you go”
It is the mark of a top class rider however to be able to ‘dig deep’ both mentally and physically when things go awry. What does Tim do when things go wrong on course, asks Sam Clark
“You try to keep your mind set clear and your objectives clear. Sure, your objectives change as you go around; when you leave the Start Box, the objective is to go clear inside the time and come home in a position to win the whole bloody thing! As you go around, that has to be adjusted but you hope you’re making the right decision with an objective in mind”
Some fascinating insights into the psychology of cross country riding from Tim only moments from stepping off his horse
(Sorry about the slight technical hitch where Sam drops the camera ...... luckily she has clear objectives too and just kept rolling!)
