World number one eventer Andrew Nicholson is on the cusp of making history. The 2012 Land Rover Burghley International Horse Trials champ will this weekend defend his title at the very prestigious event, which is also the last of the HSBC FEI Classic Series and he can’t be beaten.
He would be the first Kiwi to win the cash rich series, which has a $US150,000 first prize, and just the second to notch back-to-back Burghley victories.. Sir Mark Todd won Burghley in 1990 and 1991, and has his name on the trophy five times.
Last year Nicholson was second by a single point in the Classics Series – which encompasses the six premier four star events – but this time round, he heads into the final round unbeatable. Not that he is resting on his laurels.
It was Burghley last year that started his impressive four star winning streak that includes victories at Burghley, Pau in France, Kentucky and Luhmuhlen in Germany.
“Every win is special, but you just savour that moment and then move on,” said Nicholson. “I am always very driven towards the next goal. It is a tough old game. You win one day but the next is a new chapter, so on you go.”
He is one of eight Kiwis lining up at Burghley and all are chasing glory with a 60,000 pound sterling first prize on offer at the Lincolnshire event.
Nicholson has his 2012 Burghley winner Avebury (owned by Rosemary and Mark Barlow) on the card, along with Nereo (owned by Libby Sellar), on whom he won the Pau 4* last year, and Calico Joe.
“I always have a bit of a soft spot for Nereo but Avebury won it last year and is feeling good and Calico Joe could win the whole thing if he went clear in the showjumping . . . if I was a gambler I may put a little something on Nereo.”
But he knows there is some tough opposition to beat, and none more so than team mate Jock Paget.
“Jock is the main man of the moment and has two very good horses there . . . there are a few others out there, but Jock is the main danger..”
He’s not complaining though, saying the victories and strength of the Kiwi riders is great for the country.
“Such success makes everyone start to lift their games.”
Badminton victor and recently-crowned British Open Champ Paget has his two top horses entered too, in Clifton Promise (owned by Frances Stead and Russell Hall) and Clifton Lush (owned by Frances Stead and Lucy Allison).
But it’s a vital event for all the New Zealand combinations, who need to be impressing selectors and getting key results on the board as they head to the 2014 World Equestrian Championships in France.
Former Burghley winner Sir Mark Todd has Oloa (owned by Diane Brunsden, Peter Cattell and Pip McCarrol) and Ravenstar (owned by team Rutledge Recruitment and Training) entered, while his London Olympics team-mate Jonelle Richards has Flintstar (owned by Darnelle Hubbard, Tim Price and Mrs K Gray) and The Deputy (owned by Lucy Sangster), with Lucy Jackson in on Willy Do (owned by Gillian Greenlees and Jackson), Neil Spratt on Upleadon (owned by Sharon Robbins, Annitta Engel and Spratt), Bruce Haskell on Kiwi Smog (owned by Alison Haskell and Haskell) and Craig Nicolai aboard Just Ironic (owned by Anne Nicolai and Nicolai).
Equestrian Sports New Zealand high performance director Sarah Harris says both Nicholson and Paget are currently in “amazing form”.
“Andrew will come out fighting to claim consecutive Burghley titles and he certainly has the horse power to do that, while Jock is more than capable of a win, especially on Promise,” she says.
And while Nicholson has the Classics in the bag, there could be a battle brewing between last year’s winner William Fox-Pitt (GBR) who sits on 36 points in second spot and Paget who is on 27 in third. With 15 points up for the win, 12 for second and 10 for third, it wouldn't take much for those slots to change.
However, it all depends on their Burghley efforts, and with 86 horses from 11 nations lining up, including five former champions and some of the best riders in the world, it will be challenging at best.
Organisers are calling it one of the strongest fields ever, including four star winners and gold medallists battling it out with young up-and-comers hungry for a win.
The first horse inspection is on Wednesday afternoon, followed by two days of dressage, the Mark Phillips-designed cross country on Saturday and showjumping on Sunday.
For further information visit: www.burghley-horse.co.uk
Or follow on demand.... http://www.burghley.tv/
- Diana Dobson, ESNZ High Performance Media Liaison
