Nicholson and Johnstone poised for victory

Andrew Nicholson and Clarke Johnstone continue to fly the New Zealand eventing flag high offshore.

Nicholson, New Zealand's most capped Olympian, is comfortably in first and second placings heading into the final phase of the CCI*** at the Blair Castle International Horse Trials in Scotland, while Johnstone has moved up the ranks in the final round of the FEI Eventing World Cup series at Le Grand Complet in France.

Series leader Johnstone climbed from 11th to fifth overnight after the cross country at Le Grand Complet. It's a toughly fought battle at the top of the table, where Johnstone has four Australians ahead of him

But Johnstone and Orient Express are still well in touch with leader Clayton Fredericks (AUS) on his Be My Guest, just 5.6 points behind them.

Mark Todd and NZB Campino have slipped to 11th in the same class, after picking up 10 faults in the cross country.

Aboard Lucy Jackson's Willy Do in the CIC** Todd is in 10th spot going into the cross country phase.

In the CCI*** at Blair Castle in Scotland, Nicholson is first and second on Shady Grey and Calico Joe respectively with two rails in hand as they head in to the showjumping phase tonight (Sunday, NZ time). Of the 32 who started the class, 26 remain after the first two phases, and just three went clear and inside time over the cross country – Nicholson accounting for two of those.

Caroline Powell has had a successful weekend finishing third in the CIC*** aboard Onwards and Upwards and third in the CCI* on The Earl of Belvedere.