Equestrian: Burghley or Bust for Nicholson

World No 1 eventer Andrew Nicholson is on the cusp of making history. Photo / Getty Images.

World No 1 eventer Andrew Nicholson is on the cusp of making history.

The Burghley International Horse Trials champion will defend his title this weekend in the final event of the HSBC FEI Classic Series, in which he holds an unassailable lead.

Nicholson will be the first Kiwi to win the series, which has a $US150,000 ($192,141) first prize, and would become just the second to notch back-to-back Burghley victories. Sir Mark Todd won in 1990 and 1991, two of his five victories.

Last year Nicholson was second by a single point in the Classics Series - which encompasses the six premier four star events.

He is one of eight Kiwis lining up at Burghley and all are chasing glory with a 60,000 pound sterling first prize on offer.

Nicholson has his 2012 Burghley winner Avebury on the card, along with Nereo, on whom he won the Pau last year, and Calico Joe.

``I always have a bit of a soft spot for Nereo but Avebury won it last year and is feeling good and Calico Joe could win the whole thing if he went clear in the showjumping ... if I was a gambler I may put a little something on Nereo.''

But he knows he faces some tough opposition, including team-mate Jock Paget.

``Jock is the main man of the moment and has two very good horses there ... there are a few others out there, but Jock is the main danger.''

All New Zealand combinations need to impress selectors ahead of next year's World Equestrian Championships in France.

Badminton victor and British Open champion Paget has his two top horses entered, Clifton Promise and Clifton Lush.

Sir Mark Todd has Oloa and Ravenstar entered. His London Olympics team-mate Jonelle Richards has Flintstar and The Deputy, with Lucy Jackson in on Willy Do, Neil Spratt on Upleadon, Bruce Haskell on Kiwi Smog and Craig Nicolai aboard Just Ironic.

The first horse inspection is tomorrow (NZ time) followed by two days of dressage, then the Mark Phillips-designed cross-country on Saturday and showjumping on Sunday.