Nicholson makes winning return to eventing

Andrew Nicholson is back competing – and on winning form – following his cross-country fall at Gatcombe last year, in which he narrowly missed paralysis.

Major neck injury

Never one to take things easy, Andrew rode six horses in one day at Aldon International – three in the Open Intermediate and three in the Open Novice.

He won the Open Intermediate riding Perfect Stranger, after scoring 24.8pen in the dressage and going clear in the showjumping and cross-country, but incurred 8.8 time penalties.

Andrew suffered major neck injuries when his horse Cillnabradden Evo fell at the final fence at Gatcombe in August. According to Andrew he was “incredibly lucky” as the injury would have caused paralysis in 98 percent of cases.

Fox-Pitt comeback

William Fox-Pitt is also due to make his comeback next month, after he sustained a head injury when he fell at Le Lion d’Angersin France last October,. The 47-year-old was kept under sedation for more than a week following the accident and spent three weeks in a French hospital.

After months of rehabilitation William has been given the all-clear to compete.

“It is all systems go here and everything is on target,” said William on his website.“I have been checked by the specialist and have been cleared to compete.

“Yogi came down this week and we jumped four horses together and it very much feels like all systems go.”

‘Big thank-you’

Some of his youngsters have already been out this season, ridden by Harry Meade and Hector Payne.Hector will also be riding a few at Gatcombe over the Easter weekend.

“A big thank-you to everyone who has supported me through my recovery,’ said William. “I am looking forward to working with Chilli Morning and the rest of the horses and getting going with the season.”