WILTSHIRE-BASED riders claimed the top two prizes at Germany's major four-star event at Luhmuhlen near Hamburg at the weekend.

Mildenhall-based New Zealander Tim Price claimed his first four-star prize as he and horse Wesko overtook home favourtite Michael Jung on the final showjumping discipline to follow up their three-star victory at Tattersalls in Ireland in May. 

The event was marred by the death of rising German star Benjamin Winter after a fall from horse Ispo during Saturday's cross-country phase and Price, 35, said: "Of course we all find it terribly difficult to move on from yesterday’s (Saturday's) tragic event and to feel real joy when we are still numb with sadness.

"However, I am really proud of my horse for his fantastic efforts throughout the competition. He is a true superstar and he loves his job. Everything comes so easy to him.”

Price and Wesko were seventh after dressage and moved up to second following the cross country phase before a clear round put the pressure on Jung, who dropped a rail on the penultimate fence to hand Price, based in Mildenhall with his wife Jonelle, part of New Zealand's bronze medal-winning team at London 2012, a breakthough victory.

Badbury-based Australian Olympian Andrew Hoy and Cheeky Calimbo had earlier clinched CIC *** honours ahead of European silver medallists Ingrid Klimke and FRH Escada JS, from Germany.

Hoy said: “First of all I would like to thank the brilliant team behind this event for organising this wonderful competition each year. We are all still in shock and upset for the terrible loss of Benjamin and we are all thinking of his family at these sad times. Ben loved the sport and his horses and so do we.”

The death of Winter was one of two at equestrian events this weekend. Canadian Jordan McDonald died while competing at the Nunney International competition near Frome in Somerset.

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