There may have been lots of laughs and jokes from world no.2 Tim Price during the Greg Grant Saddlery Eventing Masterclass this evening but there was also plenty of goodness to take away for all.

Six eventing combinations had advice from Tim as he took the audience on a journey explaining how he prepares and trains horse through the grades.

The Kiwi eventer, who has five 5* wins to his credit knows only too well the work required to take a horse from green to gold.

When he and wife Jonelle moved to the UK in 2006, he says they spent the first “formidable” years just surviving. “It was an apprenticeship really!”

It’s a far cry from their world today. The couple were world no.1 and no.2 for a period and are considered two of the most competitive eventers in the world.

Both are generous with their knowledge and always keen to encourage others along their journey.

“A big part (of eventing) is learning what horses to spend the time and energy on,” said Tim. “Eventing horses are quite unique – they’re multi-faceted and good at many things.”

But those all-important talents weren’t always evident from the start.

In today’s masterclass, Tim was quick to get on the horses and show riders just what he was talking about and share his thoughts on their beloved mounts.

One of the riders for the masterclass was 5* competitor Sophia Hill and Tulara Baltango. She had met Tim while staying with top Australian eventer Chris Burton in the Uk earlier this year. “I absolutely admire Tim and his ability to get on and get the best out of all of them,” she said. “There was a lot of atmosphere in there which was great for my nine-year-old. It was his first time in crowds. He’s not exactly an easy horse but very talented.”

The horse has won all of his 3* starts to date. “It was great seeing the different exercises Tim uses and watching what he does with young ones through to the more experienced. He has a very holistic approach to it all.”

It was Tim’s first time to EQUITANA and he heads home to the UK with an Akubra hat in his luggage, curtest of EQUITANA chief executive Rod Lockwood who presented him with the gift at the end of the masterclass.

“I am loving being involved in the amazing show that EQUITANA is,” said Tim. “I thought they were all great riders and all the horses had plenty of talent. It was great to see what the Australians are up to.”

Tim will be presenting more education sessions through the event.