Andrew Nicholson claims fifth Barbury title

Andrew Nicholson has won his fifth consecutive CIC3* title at Barbury International Horse Trials.

Comeback king

Less than a year after breaking his neck in a cross-country fall Nicholson was back to his phenomenal best at Barbury. He and Nereo added just two showjumping time penalties to their dressage score of 37.6pen finishing more than a showjump in hand over runner-up Paul Tapner to claim the £16 000 first prize.

The class formed the third leg of the new Event Rider Masters (ERM) series highlights of which will be shown on Horse & Country TV.  

“I really felt the big atmosphere out there today but this is why I do it for the people who support me – and to win the first ERM class held at Barbury is extra special ” said Andrew.

“A massive thanks goes to my team and family who had it tough when I got injured being the patient was the easy part.”

Best Brit

Gemma Tattersall was best of the Brits in the ERM section producing a superb double clear on the eight-year-old Santiago Bay to finish third. 

Gemma now leads the series with 66 points with Paul Tapner in second 63 and France’s Astier Nicolas third on 59.

What a star

In the other section of the CIC3* Rio-bound Australian Christopher Burton was victorious on Polystar l.

British riders Nicola Wilson (Bulana) and Sarah Cohen (Treason) finished second and third just one-tenth of a penalty apart while Paul Tapner took fourth and fifth on Kilronan and Vanir Kamira respectively.

Off the track

In the Retraining of Racehorse Eventing Championships which is sponsored by RoR and the National Trainers Federation Harry Meade took the £2 000 first prize with a new ride Sparky’s Reflection.

The bay gelding was originally trained over hurdles by Henrietta Knight but has since had a varied career with his owner Amy Martin including Pony Club hunting and eventing.

“Having come from Henrietta he’s probably had as good a start as any eventer and he’s been a real family horse with Amy ” said Harry. “He might have been a lazy racehorse but he’s a sweet charming character and I’d like to see how far he can go in eventing.”

Challenge accepted

The JCB Champions Challenge run in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund Event saw a team of event riders take on a team of jockeys.

In the end event riders Mark Todd Paul Tapner and Tim and Jonelle Price proved unbeatable with jump jockeys Richard Johnson Wayne Hutchinson Tom Scudamore and Tom Bellamy unable to catch their rivals after a messy baton change spoiled their chances.

Watch the Event Riders Masters from Barbury at 8pm this Saturday 16 July on Sky channel 253 and H&C Play.