Kiwi Tim Price has made history at the iconic Burghley Horse Trials, recording the lowest-ever score for the three-day event's opening discipline - the dressage.
Riding Vitali in the five-star event, the world No.1 equestrian performer scored 18.7, breaking the previous best of 20.1 by Australian Chris Burton, en route to his 2016 victory.
The routine featured a pefect 10 for the first halt, but Price admits he felt the final score would be somewhere in the mid-20s.
"I was very happy with that," he said. "It's a good score and one he has always been capable of.
"It's nice to do it when it counts, but now on to the next thing."
Price will take on the cross-country stage next, with show-jumping the final test for the field of 58. He enjoys a 5.5 point lead over Briton Oliver Townend, who has two horses - Swallow Springs and Ballaghmor Class - on 24.2.
Price and Vitali finished third overall at Burghley last year, but Price has won aboard Ringwood Sky Boy in 2018.
