Top-ranked New Zealander Andrew Nicholson has led from start to finish for a convincing win at the Blenheim horse trials in England.
Fresh from a four-star victory at Burghley last weekend, world No.1 Nicholson and Quimbo finished the shorter three-star CIC event at Blenheim in style after leading through the dressage and showjumping phases.
Their 40.7 point total was well clear of second-placed William Fox-Pitt and Bay My Hero's 44.8.
It's Nicholson's first Blenheim win since he took out the event in 1991, and he says Quimbo's experience played a major part in the victory.
"He's a lovely horse, very easy to ride and has an amazing jump," Nicholson said.
"He's probably one of the most experienced horses in the field and has been doing advanced since he was three."
Compatriot Mark Todd took second in the traditional three-star CCI event, which was won by Fox-Pitt and Seacookie on 39 penalty points to Todd and Conair's 42.
Todd, riding Conair for just the second time, was less than a downed rail behind going into the final showjumping phase and jumped a "mega" clear round to keep the pressure on Fox-Pitt.
"The horse was very well prepared by Rodney Powell - his usual rider - and Alex Franklin," Todd said.
"When I schooled him earlier this week, I said that if we managed a decent dressage and jumped clear we might just do all right."
Kiwi riders Caroline Powell aboard Onwards and Upwards and Jonelle Richards (Wesko) were the only two of 59 combinations to go clear and inside time in the cross-country, finishing 10th and 14th respectively in the CIC event.
NZN
