Andrew Nicholson misses Pau – Qwanza is not fit enough
The French four-star eventing competition at Pau this weekend holds the odd distinction of being the last major competition of 2014, but also the first of the international equestrian federation’s Classics Series for 2014-2015.
And it’s that second part of Pau’s attraction that will disappoint New Zealander Andrew Nicholson – he has had to withdraw his eleven-year-old mare Qwanza as she was “just not quite fit enough” after a year-long lay-off following injury.
Nicholson’s other star eventers – Avebury and Nereo – are resting after another successful season in which he completed two hat-trick wins. With Avebury he won both Barbury and Burghley for the third year running. He won the Classics Series in 2013 with its $40,000 prize.
Lockeridge-based Nicholson told the New Zealand press: “There is not much point in going there if the horse is not 100 per cent. We'll miss this, write the year off and start afresh next year."
Sixteen of Pau’s 40 four-star international entries are British riders – headed by Pippa Funnell with two mounts and William Fox-Pitt with three mounts.
With Nicholson’s scratching, local interest resides with another New Zealander, Jonelle Price from Mildenhall with her nine-year-old mare Faerie Dianimo. This will be Jonelle’s first ride over Pau’s cross country course.
After a great season which included her fourth place at the World Equestrian Games in Normandy, Jonelle is now ranked ninth in the world. The other New Zealand entry is Jock Paget who has two mounts in the competition.