Equestrian: Nicholson eyes Badminton record

New Zealand's Andrew Nicholson is poised to set an endurance record when he rides at the Badminton horse trials next month in southern England.

Nicholson, 43, has completed the gruelling annual test of horse and rider 22 times since he first entered in 1984. Only one other rider, Lorna Clark, has matched that achievement but Nicholson can add one or two more completions to his name next month.

The English-based rider from Te Awamutu has entered Lord Killinghurst, on which he placed second at Badminton last year, and Fenicio.

Four other New Zealand riders have entries in this year's field: Joe Meyer on Snip, Jonelle Richards on Mazetto, Neil Spratt on Haka and Caroline Powell who will choose two from Lenamore, Ballycathro and Softly Softly.

The Badminton event, from May 5 to 8, will include the traditional full endurance phases of roads and tracks, and steeplechase, for the last time before adopting the same shortened format -- cross-country only -- that was used at the Athens Olympics and is becoming the standard for all major events.

- NZPA