Pau packs a punch for Nicholson

Andrew Nicholson has come from behind to finish strongly and claim a stake in final leg of the grand slam of eventing.

Nicholson and Mr Cruise Control finished second in the four star international three day event at Les Etoiles de Pau in France this morning (Monday), moving him from sixth to third in the very lucrative HSBC FEI Classics™.

It was quite a payday for Nicholson, who also won the CIC** aboard Viscount George.

Nicholson said he came to Pau with no expectations, so was delighted with the efforts of his whole team.
“Mr Cruise Control is probably my third choice for the Olympics,” he said. “He is a big horse, but he gets better every year.”

Pau threw everything at competitors, and the four star cross country course, build by Pierre Michelet called for plenty of bravery. Of the 69 strong field, 19 combinations were eliminated, withdrawn or retired including Nicholson on his other mount Henry Tankerville, and teammate Lucy Jackson on Kilcoltrim Ambassador.

But Nicholson and Mr Cruise Control, who were in sixth spot and the best of the Kiwis going into the cross country, jumped cleanly around the course to finish. He had earlier walked Henry Tankerville home after a run out, and picked up just a single time fault on Armarda.

Caroline Powell and Boston Two Tip jumped superbly to go clear but added nine to their scorecard due to time, while Jackson and Animator went clear on the cross country but picked up 20 time faults, however, they withdrew before the showjumping phase.

In the two star, Nicholson picked up time faults in both the cross country and showjumping but still finished just ahead of Australian Paul Tapner on Kilronan. Again there were plenty who fell by the wayside, with 19 eliminated, withdrawn or retired, including Kiwi team mates Powell on The Earl of Belvederre and Jonelle Richards on Short Black, and just 24 finishing the event.

The HSBC FEI Classics™ was won by Mary King (GBR) who picked up $US150,000 for her efforts, the biggest single award in eventing. She has placed no lower than eighth at all five of the classic events this season, and is the first woman to win the title. Nicholson bags $US50,000 for third.

Results -

CCI4*: William Fox-Pitt (GBR) Oslo 44.2 dressage + 0 cross country + 0 jumping = 44.2 total, 1; Andrew Nicholson (NZL) Mr Cruise Control 46.2 + 0 + 4 = 50.2, 2; William Fox-Pitt (GBR) Lionheart 46.7 + 0 + 4 = 50.7, 3; Mary King (GBR) Imperial Cavalier 51 +0 + 0 = 51, 4; Caroline Powell (NZL) Boston Two Tip 60 + 9.2 + 10 = 79.2, 22; Andrew Nicholson (NZL) Armada 57.2 + 0.4 + 22 = 79.5, 23;