Barbury Day Two: Andrew Nicholson and Avebury lead the three star competition after the dressage
Andrew Nicholson & Avebury (Photo: Katy Vincent)You could hardly ask for a better or more exciting way to end the first two days of the premier CIC*** competition at the St James's Place Barbury International Horse Trials: three times winners Andrew Nicholson and his amazing grey Avebury top the leader board with a dressage score of 33.9 penalty points.
The crowd was strangely silent as New Zealand's Andrew Nicholson and the fifteen year gelding performed a near perfect test - then came the applause. They have a two point lead over Britain's Francis Whittington on East Target (37.1.)
After their performance Nicholson said: "I don't warm Avebury up for too long, I trust him, he is fifteen now and knows his job. It's mission accomplished so far - it's only a starting number, but it's a good one. And it would be great to make history again by completing a four timer here at Barbury."
Avebury was bred by Nicholson and is co-owned by Mrs Rosemary Barlow. Last year Nicholson and Avebury went on from Barbury to win the Land Rover Burghley CIC**** competition.
Alex Hua Tian & Don Geniro
Francis Whittington & Easy TargetIn third place after the dressage are China's Alex Hia Tian and Don Geniro (37.3.) He is based in Britain and is China's only eventer competing internationally.
Andrew Nicholson and Nereo also hold fourth place at the end of the dressage. With 38.3 penalties they led after the first day. There are eleven Brfitish riders in the top twenty places.
Saturday morning sees the show jumping discipline of the CIC*** competition - with the cross-country to follow on Sunday. At lunchtime on Saturday the main ring sees the second running of the JCB Champions Challenge - a relay race between teams of jockeys (led this year by AP McCoy), eventers (led by that busy horseman Andrew Nicholson.) This event raises money for the Injured Jockeys Fund.
Friday saw the novice classes - novice horses with some very experienced riders - tackle a shortened (800 yard) version of Barbury's famous downland cross-country course, designed by Captain Mark Phillips.
Of the nineteen obstacles the St James's Place water and the steps at the Earthline Quarry seemed to giving riders and horses the most trouble.
