At the close of day two (July 4) of the St James’s Place Wealth Management Barbury International Horse Trial, Lockeridge based New Zealander Andrew Nicholson was well placed to take his third consecutive Barbury CIC three star title.
Riding his 14-year-old grey gelding Avebury, he was given just 34.8 penalty points in the dressage – the first of the three eventing disciplines.
This beat the first day’s leader, Britain’s Francis Whittington on Easy Target by seven points. In second position was the American Clark Montgomery riding Loughan Glen with 39.6 penalties.
Another New Zealander, Sir Mark Todd aboard Leonidas II lies equal third with first day leader Whittington. Sir Mark and Leonidas are certain for New Zealand’s team at the World Equestrian Games in France next month.
After the last CIC three star entrant had completed the dressage Nicholson said: “Avebury is such a consistent performer and he did really good today and I am now looking forward to the jumping phases tomorrow and Sunday – and kicking on for the hat trick.”
One of the GB team for the World Equestrian Games in France, William Fox-Pitt won the Novice Section F on Reinstated.
Taking part in the final stages of the CIC three star dressage was Zara Phillips on her ten-year-old black gelding Black Tuxedo.
On Saturday afternoon she will swap the control and precision of the dressage ring and enter the hurly-burley of the JCB Champions Challenge. She will be captaining one of the teams – another will be led by champion jockey AP McCoy.
It will be quite a spectacle.
Welcome agreement at last on reducing water extraction from the precious River Kennet
