MARLBOROUGH-based eventer Andrew Nicholson has withdrawn Nereo from this week’s Badminton Horse Trials.

The 54-year-old said he is unsure whether he is able to compete at the CCI4* event as he is still recovering from a neck injury that nearly left him paralysed at Gatcombe last August.

Nicholson hurt his neck after coming off ride Cillnabradden Evo during a cross country phase, shattering a vertebrae.

Despite the Kiwi, who had already withdrawn Avebury after retiring the three-time Burghley winner, returning to action this season, a lack of fitness from the long lay-off has taken its toll.

“I have reluctantly decided to withdraw Nereo from Badminton,” he said. “I have doubts over my own fitness and ability to do him full justice at this point.

“I successfully rode four horses in the advanced at Withington on Sunday, all of whom won prizes, but was aware I felt fatigued by the end of the seven-minute cross-country course. It would therefore not be sensible to attempt an 11-and-a-half-minute course at Badminton.

“I have every confidence my strength and fitness will continue to improve and, with the full support of Nereo’s owner Libby Sellar, we now plan to target Nereo towards significant events such as those in the exciting new Event Rider Masters series.”

Badminton begins on Thursday with the dressage stage, with eight Wiltshire-based riders competing.