Nicholson Best of Kiwis at Aachen
Sunday, 20 July 2014

Andrew Nicholson and Nereo have finished sixth at the CHIO Aachen World Equestrian Festival in Germany this morning.

As expected, the eventing was dominated by the hosts, who also won the teams event. New Zealand was fourth behind Germany, Great Britain and France.

Nicholson and Nereo (owned by Libby Sellar) added just .8 time penalty points from the cross country, moving from 16th to sixth and finishing on 48..4. The individual event was won by Sandra Auggarth (GER) on Opgun Louvo, who led from the start and finished on her dressage score of 33.8.

The top three combinations were the only ones in the 39-strong start list to go clear and inside time.

Tim Price and Wesko (owned by The Wesko Syndicate – Christina Knudsen, Peter Vela, Lucy Sangster and Kate Watchman), who were in second place going into the final cross country phase, retired part way through.

Equestrian Sports New Zealand coach Erik Duvander said the plan for Wesko had always been to get the championship-like experience in the dressage and showjumping at Aachen, but the horse was not up to full fitness for the fast-tracked Aachen cross country.

Price’s wife Jonelle and her very smart grey Faerie Dianimo (owned by Mrs Trisha Rickards and Jacky Green) moved from 17th to 16th after picking up just time faults.
It was a first for such a big atmosphere for the horse, who Duvander says is being “prepped for the next Olympics”.

Tim Price and Ringwood Sky Boy (owned by Robert Taylor, Selwood.com and Price) also came home with just time faults to finish in 20th place.

Duvander was pleased to see the improvement in his showjumping.

“He is a difficult horse to ride on a fast track like Aachen and better suited to to the more galloping like long format four star.”

Lucy Jackson and Willy Do (owned by Gillian Greenlees and Jackson) parted company during the cross country but both are reported to be fine.

Overall, Duvander was very pleased with the outing.“

Aachen has done its job. It was a fantastic event like normal, but very hot,” he said.

For more information, head to http://www.chioaachen.de/en/starterlisten#event-975