MARLBOROUGH-based eventer Andrew Nicholson continues to reign supreme at Barbury Castle Horse Trials after winning the third leg of the Event Rider Masters series.

Having won the CIC*** section for last four years on now-retired Avebury, Kiwi Nicholson returned with Nereo for the new ERM format.

However, that did not affect the 54-year-old’s rhythm and he continued his success to beat Highworth-based Paul Tapner and Great Britain’s Gemma Tattersall, who finished second and third respectively on Yogi Bear VIII and Santiago Bay, to the title and a cheque for £16,000.

Nicholson, who led after the show jumping stage, went within the time to finish on a score of 39.6 “Nereo now adapts himself to whatever he needs to do,” said Nicholson.

“It felt like it was far too easy but I am sure it’s not. I rode the two younger ones around here as guinea pigs and I thought then that it was quite slippery and quite twisty, whereas Nereo didn’t make it feel slippery or twisty at all.

“That is experience. He has done enough mileage.

“It is great for the family and what they have been through. I had the easy bit, I was just a patient.”

Meanwhile, Australian Chris Burton completed a fine weekend to claim the CIC*** on Polystar I.

The Surrey-based eventer finished on his dressage score of 42.2 to claim victory in an event that had been won in the last four years by Nicholson, who finished 13th on Jet Set IV.

Meanwhile, Tapner secured fourth and fifth spot on Vanir Kamira and Kilronan respectively.

“I am very happy,” said Burton.

“He was to come here just to see his first three-star and Barbury is always a tough one and rides tough.

“We are delighted that he has gone so well; I also happened to be in pole position when they run in reverse order, that makes you run a little bit more competitive so I couldn’t help myself.

“There was lots of galloping and he was jumping really well and was listening to me.

“We are off to Aachen next weekend, we are very busy at this time of year and then we will all be excited for the Rio Olympics.”