KEY POINTS:
Withdrawals of three world-class riders have increased the chances of New Zealander Andrew Nicholson claiming the Badminton horse trials title for the first time in his long career.
Nicholson, 45, has completed the demanding three-day event in western England 24 times -- more than any other rider.
But the closest he got to the coveted title was as runner-up in 2004 on Lord Killinghurst.
The bay gelding, expected to enjoy the firm footing resulting from warm spring weather, is one of Nicholson's two entries at Badminton this weekend.
The other is Henry Tankerville, which last year won the Bramham event.
Defending titleholder Andrew Hoy, of Australia, has had to withdraw both his entries, as have other recent Badminton winners William Fox-Pitt and Pippa Funnell -- making this year's event the most wide open in years.
Nicholson's strongest opposition may come from reigning world and European champion Zara Phillips -- daughter of Princess Anne -- riding Toytown in her Badminton debut.
Four other New Zealand riders are competing: Caroline Powell on Lenamore, Joe Meyer on Snip, Bundy Philpott on Fig Jam and Annabel Wigley on her Puhinui event winner Black Drum.
All 77 horses that presented overnight passed the veterinary inspection for the event, which gets under way with the first day of dressage tonight.
- NZPA
