MARLBOROUGH-based Jonelle Price is hoping for a fair test when she takes to the saddle at the Badminton Horse Trials tomorrow.

The 35-year-old New Zealander will take Classic Moet to Gloucestershire for the four-star event as she continues her preparations for the Olympic Games in Rio later this year.

Price has conceded that the dressage phase, which will commence tomorrow and spans over two days, is her mare’s weakest stage but hopes that the cross country course on Saturday will be up to standard and give her a chance to climb back into contention for the final day.

“I’m feeling ready and keen to get there now,” she said.

“I have had a really good preparation. Classic Moet just gets better and better every year.

“I’m surprised that the Badminton field is as quality as it is.

“I would have thought, coming into the year, a lot of people would have been keeping them at home for the Olympics but it is certainly one of the strongest fields we have seen.

“It is a world-class line up. I personally hope that the cross country is a true four-star test.

“I need the cross country to be a true four-star and hopefully the rest goes my way.

“The dressage isn’t her strongest phase but she is certainly getting more and more competitive.

“She is incredibly reliable at cross-country. There are not many other horses I would rather be on.

“The preparation is all done and then I suppose you have to hope for a bit of luck for the competition to go our way.”

Price, who got a bronze medal with New Zealand at the London Olympics, will be keen to make sure she is in contention again when the selectors make their decision next month, with Classic Moet, Faerie Dianimo and Cloud Dancer all qualified.

“I think they name the team in the middle of June and it is just important they keep producing good results and stay healthy,” she added.

“They will name the horse and rider combinations that are on form and looking good.

“Classic Moet is one of my three that I have got qualified and right now, I am finding it hard to pick between her and the other mare, Faerie Dianimo.

“We’ll just see how the next month or two unfolds and they have got their respective plans and we’ll see where we are at in a month’s time.”