Equestrian: Andrew Nicholson rides to second at Badminton

8.45am

New Zealand equestrian rider Andrew Nicholson on Lord Killinghurst failed to overhaul overnight leader William Fox-Pitt in the final phase of the Badminton Horse trials in England this morning.

In a tense finish to the three-day event when the competitors show jump in reverse order of placing, Nicholson jumped second last, and Fox-Pitt last.

Nicholson dropped two rails and conceded two time penalties in his final round, while Fox-Pitt completed the course with only one fence down to finish ahead of Nicholson by 4.6 penalties.

It was Nicholson's best finish at the premier equestrian event, beating his fifth placing in 1999.

Nicholson also finished third on Lord Killinghurst at the Burleigh horse trials in September last year.

The last New Zealander to win at Badminton was Mark Todd on Bertie Blunt in 1996.

Besides Nicholson's podium finish, five New Zealanders were placed in the top 20 with Scotland-based Caroline Powell finishing 14th, Kate Hewlett 15th on internet and Christchurch rider Jonelle Richards 17th on Mazetto.

Kate Lambie and Nufarm Alibi rounded out the New Zealand contingent in 18th place.

- NZPA