Can Avebury set another record and win a fourth Burghley title?
Achieving what many thought nigh on impossible, Andrew Nicholson and the fifteen- year-old gelding Avebury won their fourth CIC3* title at the St James's Place Barbury International Horse Trials.
No sooner had the horseboxes left the Marlborough Downs than thoughts turned to another possible four-in-a-row record. Can the pair win the Land Rover Burghley CIC4* (3-6 September) again after winning in 2012, 2013 and 2014?
Finding that Avebury's height is 16.2 is as disconcerting as finding that Maria Sharapova is six feet two. Leaving the tall tennis players to perfect her first serve, it can only be said that the less than tall Avebury is both remarkably tough and remarkably nimble.
How unlike the 16.2 horse I rode as an early teenager - which dumped me on the far side of a very wee jump: "This will be your first jump - and he's only a pony really" - his owner had assured me.
Avebury missed this year's Badminton because of a minor chipped bone. And he did not enjoy the Kentucky CIC4* in April 2014 - but then I don't much like air travel either.
Andrew Nicholson says Avebury has a special relationship with Barbury and with Burghley - and he should know. Here's to another four times record!