Equestrian: Nicholson is hot to trot at top event

Andrew Nicholson, riding Nereo, was in a strong position to break his Badminton drought. Photo / Photosport

It's one of the only titles that has eluded Andrew Nicholson and the highly-decorated eventer knows what's at stake in the showjumping phase of the Badminton horse trials.

The New Zealand rider edged closer to his maiden title at Britain's four-star event in his record 34th attempt with a grip on the outright lead after last night's cross country phase.

Nicholson remained on 37.8 penalty points on Nereo, after completing the cross country course one second inside the allotted time, and is in prime position to break his Badminton drought.

The 53-year-old has a lot to gain from success at this event in addition to securing the 80,000 ($165,000) winner's cheque. Primarily, it would boost his case for re-inclusion in Equestrian Sports New Zealand's high-performance squad. He is currently estranged after a disagreement with a team vet at last year's World Games in Normandy.

A dominant display, and preferably victory, would heap pressure on the national organisation to resolve what shapes as a travesty if Nicholson is omitted from selection for his eighth Olympics at Rio.

Nicholson might be at odds with officialdom but it's not as though he hasn't earned the right to a considered opinion.

On arrival in England, he worked as a groom for Sir Mark Todd when he won on Southern Comfort as a Badminton debutant in 1980.

Nicholson soon moved from his family's dairy farm in the Waikato to work in English racing stables. He's since built a formidable business buying, training and selling horses on his property in Wiltshire.

Meticulous planning has always been a theme of Nicholson's campaigns. His knowledge of equestrian-related minutiae on breeding, course tactics or fitness regimes would qualify for Mastermind. He will be in a position to qualify numerous horses for Rio.

High Performance Sport New Zealand need to take drastic steps to prevent, in eventing parlance, further rails being knocked over to a point where the relationship is irreparable.

Nicholson was a picture of composure at yesterday's post-competition press conference as he contemplated breaking new ground in a career which has already gleaned seven individual four-star titles.

He was conscious of being seventh-equal last year at the same point on the same horse before suffering elimination from the cross-country.

"Last year, I made a stupid mistake and I've had 12 months to think on that," he said. "I know what I've got to do and I have a very good horse, which makes it easier."

This morning will tell the tale of that consideration. Nicholson and Nereo were one of the early combinations on the cross country course and oozed confidence throughout.

They would have taken a keen interest in the rest of the field, including British arch-rival William Fox-Pitt on Chilli Morning, who was second after the dressage on 39 penalties.

Fellow New Zealander Jock Paget also loomed as a contender to back up his 2013 title. He was fifth and sixth after the dressage on Clifton Lush (40.8 penalties) and Clifton Promise (41.2 penalties). The final showjumping phase starts tonight (NZT).