Andrew Nicholson (NZL) joked that he was “still living the dream” after judging his Cross-Country round on Nereo to perfection at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, fourth leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015.

The brilliant New Zealand rider finished one second inside the optimum time of 11 minutes 27 seconds to remain on his leading Dressage score of 37.8. But the six-time Olympian has no room for error to realise a great ambition nurtured since he first competed here in 1984. He has no margin for error in tomorrow’s Jumping phase over four riders who, like Nicholson, all know what it takes to win a CCI4*.

William Fox-Pitt (GBR), who beat Nicholson into second place at Badminton in 2004, is in the runner-up spot after a thrilling round on the stallion Chilli Morning. Oliver Townend, the last British rider to win Badminton, in 2009, is third on Nicholson’s former ride, Armada, a full-brother to Nereo.

Advertisement