Kiwi Andrew Nicholson Third at Saumur

Andrew Nicholson has this morning finished third in the International CCI3* Three Day event in Saumur, France.

Aboard Viscount George in his first three star, Nicholson went into the final showjumping phase in second place, but two fences down slid him into third behind Christopher Burton (AUS) who was first on Haruzac and second on Holstein Park Leilani.

Organisers had earlier mistakenly given Nicholson time faults on the cross country, when in fact he was the only rider to go clear and inside time.

Nicholson said he had brought the eight-year-old to Saumur for experience, and was very pleased with the youngster’s efforts.

Mark Todd and NZB Grass Valley earned their qualification for the London Olympics with their seventh placing. Nicholson was also ninth aboard Quimbo with Caroline Powell 16^th on Onwards and Upwards.

Just 38 combinations from the initial 50 starters went through to the showjumping phase after a particularly tricky cross country phase which saw 10 eliminated, retired or withdrawn.

In the 72-strong CIC2* Todd and Leonidas II were 12^th, with Nicholson 28^th on Teseo and 48^th on Sirio.

Quick Link

• For full results visit www.saumur.org

By: Diana Dobson/ESNZ