JONELLE Price is looking forward to competing at ‘spectator friendly’ Barbury Horse Trials when she takes to the course next week.

The Mildenhall-based rider is set to compete on Classic Moet, the 12-year-old mare she rode at the World Championships last year, but has not set her expectations high as she uses the three-star event as preparation for Burghley Horse Trials in September.

Price rode Classic Moet to a top 20 finish at Badminton in May, after finishing the first day of dressage in 60th place, and knows she could be in for a similar battle this time around.

“I have Classic Moet starting in the big class and so she could go well,” said Price, who narrowly missed out on her first ever four-star win on Faerie Dianimo at Luhmuhlen International Horse trials last week.

“It is always such a hot competition, the field will be packed, but that particular mare, her weakness is the dressage stage and I would expect that we’ll be a little bit off the pace after the dressage and I need the cross-country to pull her back up.

“You never know, if she puts in a decent shift then she could certainly be close enough.

“The ground is very good, it is old turf, so when you are in the middle of summer the ground is pretty reliable.

“They put on a very good show, there is often a bit of sunshine and it is a very spectator friendly location for people to come and watch.

“I don’t have huge aims. My emphasis is very much on the four stars.

“Classic Moet is really going there as preparation for Burghley, that is the big one in September for her.

“These one day events are all stepping stones really for that big one.

“It would be nice if we have a good run, but it is more just a preparation run for Burghley.”

Barbury Horse Trials take place between Thursday, July 9, and Sunday, July 12.

Tickets are available by visiting www.barburyhorsetrials.co.uk or calling 01672516125.