Andrew Nicholson is again the toast of the world of eventing this morning with a superb win at the top-ranking Luhmuhlen CCI4* in Germany.
Aboard Mr Cruise Control (owned by Nicola and Robin Salmon and Nicholson), the world number one rider notched a perfect clear round to take victory ahead of Zara Phillips (GBR) on High Kingdom who was just 1.7 penalty points behind.
Nicholson and the big grey were third after the dressage, hitting the front of a talent-stacked leaderboard after a faultless cross country round that caused plenty of headaches for many.
Nicholson himself took a dunking from Qwanza (owned by Rosemary and Mark Barlow) at the water.
However, he was also hoof perfect aboard Rathmoyle King (owned by Gillian Morris-Adams, Carolyn Taylor and Carolyne Ryan-Bell) in the cross country, dropping two rails in the showjumping to finish in sixth place.
His Olympic team-mate Jonelle Richards and Flintstar (owned by Darnell Hubbard, Tim Price and Mrs Grey) finished eighth on 59.5.
Jonathan Paget withdrew Bullet Proof (owned by Joseph and Alexander Giannamore) before the cross country after the horse seemed a little sore.
Just 32 of the 50-strong field, from Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Poland, Spain, Sweden and the United States, finished all three disciplines.
Nicholson's win - on the back of his victories in four star events at Burghley, Pau and Kentucky firmly reinforce his top ranking and strangle-hold of the HSBC FEI Classics Series.
The winner of the classics will pocket $US150,000.
Results - Andrew Nicholson (NZL) Mr Cruise Control (owned by Nicola and Robin Salmon and Nicholson) 38 1, Zara Phillips (GBR) High Kingdom 39.7 2, William Fox-Pitt (GBR) Neuf des Coeurs 47.7 3, William Fox Pitt (GBR) Lionheart 48.2 4, Kevin McNab (AUS) Clifton Pinot 51.5 5, Andrew Nicholson (NZL) Rathmoyle King (owned by Gillian Morris-Adams, Carolyn Taylor and Carolyne Ryan-Bell) 56 6, Jonelle Richards (NZL) Flintstar (owned by Darnelle Hubbard, Tim Price and Mrs Grey) 59.5 8, Jonathan Paget (NZL) Bullet Proof (owned by Joseph and Alexander Giannamore) withdrawn before cross country, Andrew Nicholson (NZL) Rathmoyle King (owned by Gillian Morris-Adams, Carolyn Taylor and Carolyne Ryan-Bell) 48 14, Andrew Nicholson (NZL) Qwanza (owned by Rosemary and Mark Barlow) eliminated in cross country.
Diana Dobson
ESNZ Media Liaison
