Equestrian: Nicholson and Todd shine at Blenheim Palace

Andrew Nicholson and Mark Todd are at the front of their respective fields at the end of second phases of competition in the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials in the United Kingdom overnight.

World No1-ranked Nicholson and Quimbo have held on to their lead in the CIC three star British Championship after the dressage and showjumping phases. The combination went clear in the showjumping, giving them a 4.2 penalty point buffer over second-placed Piggy French from Great Britain and West Side.

Caroline Powell and Onwards and Upwards went clear to move up 23 spots into 19th slot after a clear round, with Todd and Leonidas II slipping back into 20th after bagging five faults. Three have withdrawn from the 70-strong field.

Meanwhile, Todd aboard Conair has charged up the CCI three star leaderboard into second place just behind William Fox-Pitt of Great Britain on Seacookie who is chasing his 50th three day event victory.

As expected, the big and challenging Eric Winter-designed cross country created many difficulties, with 24 of the 90-strong field eliminated, retired or withdrawn.

Todd, who has ridden Conair only once before, finished clear with just 2.4 time penalties. Todd last won at Blenheim when he guided Land Vision to victory in the CIC three star in 2010.

"Blenheim is a proper three-star track this year - perhaps a bit bigger than it has been recently - and that's a good thing as it will set horses up well for Badminton," said Todd, who admitted to a few "hairy moments" out on the course with Conair.

Nicholson's hopes in the CCI three star went wayward after he and Viscount George had a refusal and retired.

Jonelle Richards and Mere Oak moved up the leaderboard with a clear round and 9.6 time faults to sit in 14th place. Dan Jocelyn and Special Advocate moved up five spots into 25th after a clear round with time faults, while Jonelle Richards and The Deputy slid 11 spots after a refusal and time faults. Juliet Wood and Bold Trader rode a clear round to pick up only time faults.

The cross country in the CCI three star will run tonight, with the showjumping of the CIC three star also scheduled to go.

Results -

CCI three star (after dressage and cross country phases): William Fox-Pitt (GBR) Seacookie 39 penalty points 1, Mark Todd (NZL) Conair 42 2, Kristina Cook (GBR) De Novo News 42.8 3, Jonelle Richards (NZL) Mere Oak (owned by Lucy and Ben Sangster) 55 14, Dan Jocelyn (NZL) Special Advocate 63.2 25, Jonelle Richards (NZL) The Deputy 67.8 29, Juliet Wood (NZL) Bold Trader 72 37, Lucy Jackson (NZL) Kilcoltrim Ambassador (owned by the Sprout Syndicate) 81 43, Neil Spratt (NZL) Elton II 144.2 64, Caroline Powell (NZL) Thornfield Jones eliminated in the cross country, Lizzie Brown (NZL) Henton Attorney General eliminated in the cross country, Andrew Nicholson (NZL) Viscount George (owned by Robin and Nicola Salmon) retired in the cross country.

CIC three star British Championship class for 8 and 9 year old horses (after dressage and showjumping phases): Andrew Nicholson (NZL) Quimbo (owned by Deborah Sellar) 35.1 penalty points 1, Piggy French (GBR) West Side 39.3 2, Bettina Hoy (GER) Designer 10 40.8 3, Caroline Powell (NZL) Onwards and Upwards owned by Cameron and Mary Crawford and Powell) 52..2 19, Mark Todd (NZL) Leonidas II (owned by Diane Brunsden, Peter Cattell and Todd) 52.4 20, Jonelle Richards (NZL) Wesko (owned Christina Knudsen) 55.5 25, Lizzie Brown (NZL) Playtime NZPH (owned by Chris Ellis) 70 57, Neil Spratt (NZL) Fernhill Quality Street 76.8 63.