HENRY SETS THE STANDARD

New Zealander and Badminton veteran Andrew Nicholson has taken the early lead at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials. The 45-year-old, who is based in Wiltshire, scored an average percentage of 69.87% - 45.2pen – on Henry Tankerville his first ride of this year’s competition.

While it is the first Badminton for Henry Tankerville he is in capable hands. Andrew first rode here 23 years ago and holds the record for the most Badminton completions – currently 24.

Andrew won Bramham three-star three-day event last year with Henry Tankerville, and the combination was also well placed at Burghley on Henry’s four-star debut last year. The11-year-old gelding, owned by Mark Chamberlayne, is by the part-bred Irish draught stallion Jumbo who Andrew also evented successfully. Henry was bred by Jumbo’s owner Carolyn Bates.

“To be critical he could have a bit more cadence in his trot work but I was happy with the test he has a nice mind and works with you,” said Andrew who has had his first walk of the course. “It has been cranked up a bit and there are some decent fences early on, in the middle and at the end. Huntsman Close and The Quarry require some serious jumping.”

Tomorrow Andrew rides the more experienced Lord Killinghurst who was second here in 2004 and fourth in 2005.

German rider Andreas Dibowski and Little Lemon FRH are currently in second place while British rider Ruth Edge and the ten-year-old mare Marsh Mayfly are in third.