Nicholson takes Barbary

New Zealand No 1 Andrew Nicholson has served notice of his intentions ahead of this month’s London Olympics with a dominant performance at the three-star Barbary Castle Horse trials in Wiltshire, England.

Nicholson was on fire in familiar surroundings, becoming the first New Zealander to win the Barbary CIC three-star title in what was the final selection event ahead of the Kiwi Olympic team naming tomorrow.

He not only claimed a runaway victory on his Olympic reserve mount, Avebury, collecting the $8000 winner’s cheque in the process, the world No 2 also finished second of the 110 starters, on Quimbo.

Both horses finished on their dressage scores — 41.6 for Avebury and 49.8 for Quimbo — while Britain’s Lucy Wiegersma was third on Simon Porloe, with 50.2 penalties.

Nicholson has been a model of consistency this season and has been in contention in almost every big event he’s entered. He will be delighted with his form, though a month is a long time in the equestrian world.

The news was not all good for the Kiwis, though. Jock Paget and Mark Todd completed the top three heading into the final day but both were eliminated — Todd for missing a fence on his Olympic ride Campino and Paget after a fall on Clifton Lush.

Both riders and horses are reportedly fine, however, and cross-country hiccups aside they showed encouraging form across the dressage and showjumping.

Paget will also be happy with his performance in the fourstar Olympic training event at Barbary, finishing second on Clifton Promise.

Nicholson, Todd, Paget, Caroline Powell and Clarke Johnstone, who was 29th on Orient Express at Barbary, are expected to be named in the New Zealand Olympic team tomorrow.