Andrew Nicholson and Nereo
Andrew Nicholson (NZ) broke his own record riding Nereo and continued his reign as the 'King of Barbury' when landing his fifth consecutive CIC three star at the horse trials in leg three of the Event Rider Masters (ERM). Competing against forty of the world's best horse's and rider's, who between them boast 120 European, World and Olympic medals, Nicholson and Nereo were faultless in the showjumping and cross-country finishing on their dressage of 39.6 to win and scoop the £16,000 first prize.
Starting out as the competition favourite, Andrew and Nereo maintained their remarkable CIC three star performances at Barbury, posting their fifth clear cross-country and their third inside the optimum time around the amphitheatre style three star course. Barbury, located eight miles from Andrew's Marlborough stables, is a happy hunting ground for him and Nereo. Eleven years ago they won their first novice competition at the event and in subsequent years Nereo has been placed no further down the order than fifth, three times in this class, finishing second last year to his stablemate Avebury.
“I really felt the big atmosphere out there today, but this is why I do it, for the people who support me and to win the first ERM class held at Barbury is extra special. A massive thanks goes to my team and family, who had it tough when I got injured, being the patient was the easy part”, said a visibly thrilled Nicholson, who suffered a terrifying fall last year in which he broke his neck.
Nicholson added; "Nereo adapts himself with whatever he has to do and I am thrilled he has eventually won this class".
Paul Tapner may have provided the Australian selectors with a last minute Rio conundrum with a super competitive performance on Yogi Bear VIII to finish second on the podium with a final score of 44.2. This also positions him in second on the ERM leader board after his seventh and twelfth placings in leg one and two of this year's ERM.
"Being on the ERM podium has been a main aim for me this season, so I am very happy. Our Olympic team gets announced tomorrow (Monday 11 July) and we will have to wait and see what happens. Gatcombe, is the next ERM leg and I will certainly be there, if I am not in Rio".
Gemma Tattersall, who received her first Olympic call up on Tuesday, installed further confidence in the selectors with a superb double clear riding the eight year old Santiago Bay, finishing on their dressage mark of 44.4 for the third spot. Gemma now leads the ERM series with sixty-six points after her fourth and eleventh placings in the previous two legs. Tapner lies in second on sixty-three points and the former series leader Astier Nicolas (FRA) lies in third on fifty nine.
A total of £50,000 totalled the prize money available at this weekend's ERM competition.
Andrew, Gemma and Paul celebrate Formula 1 style
Further ERM placings Leg 3 - The St James's Place Barbury International Horse Trials
4th - Danni Evans (GB) - SMART TIME (score 44.6)
5th - Marcio Jorge (BRZ) - LISSY MAY WAYER (46.1)
6th - Sam Griffiths (AUS) - HAPPY TIMES (46.9)
7th - William Fox-Pitt (GB) - COOL MOUNTAIN (47)
8th - Jonelle Price (NZ) - CLASSIC MOET (47.4)
9th - Jesse Campbell (NZ) - CLEVELAND (48.1)
10th - Laura Collett (GB) - MR BASS (50.3)
