MILDENHALL-BASED New Zealander Tim Price was among the early three-star frontrunners after the opening dressage tests on day one at the Barbury Horse Trials today.

Price, who is married to fellow Kiwi rider Jonelle Richards, lay joint first in the CIC*** section A, alongside Germany's Franca Luedeke and Parlando, both on 42.6 penalties.

USA's Clark Montgomery and Loughlan Glen led section B on 34.2, from Great Britain's Piggy French and Tinkas Time (36.4).

Wiltshire riders Kitty King (Persimmon, 38.2), Andrew Nicholson (Nereo, 41.4), Laura Collett (Noble Bestman, 41.6) flled the next places.

The CIC** section C was led by Germany's Bettina Hoy and Seigneur Medicott on 36.9 with Price third on Wembley III, British rider Colina Pickles and Airtime (43.1) heading up section D.

Ireland's Aoife Clark and Fernhill Adventure (41.9) led the way in section E with Britain's Alice Dunsdon and Wolf Tone.

In the novice section F, Australia's Sammi McLeod and Hunter Valley II led on 25.0.

The trials continue tomorrow with the Novice Eventing competition and day two of the two and three-star dressage.

Legendary race horses Kauto Star will perform a demonstration in the main arena, ridden by Collett on Sunday.

Three showjumping classes will also take place over the weekend, including Team GB rider and 2011 Hickstead Derby winner Tina Fletcher.

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