Olympic eventer Tim Price debuted his latest “ride” in the grand parade at the Golden Bay A&P Show in Tākaka on Saturday.
The former World No.1 ranked rider also has a penchant for old cars, and bought his latest, a 1957 Vauxhall Velox, just days before the annual show.
“I went to Molly B’s bar in Pōhara and the car was in a shed out the back. We were having a nosey around and the owner asked if we would like to buy it,” says Tim, who has spent the past month holidaying in the bay.
He reckons the $4,000 price tag was a bargain, and it came with a picnic set inside and old suitcases on the roof.
“It is a bit rusty, but that is the look,” grins the very relaxed three-time Olympian.
He also proudly points out his 1964 EH Holden, which was in the parade too.
“I got that out of my uncle’s barn. It was decrepit, but we got the rust out, rebuilt the motor and things. I just love Holdens. That is my holiday car here.”
When Tim, his wife Jonelle and two children come back from their England base to holiday, they head to Golden Bay 70 to 80 per cent of the time.
“Jonelle was born in Motueka, and we have family in Parapara, so we are very connected up here,” says Tim.
“Going to shows like this brings back lots of memories of when we were younger and going around the South Island with horses.”
Horses took Tim and Jonelle, also an outstanding equestrian rider, to England in 2004 and they have been there pretty much ever since.
They head back to their Dorset yard in Southwest England this week, and he admits he’s not looking forward to the cold and wet.
But the quality of his current eventing stock has him excited.
“Jonelle and I have a bunch of really good horses, five of them at top level.
“We plan to compete at the Kentucky 5 Star in April and the Badminton Horse trials as well,” enthuses the 45-year-old.
