WILTSHIRE-BASED Frenchman Astier Nicolas says his fine form is no guarantee of Olympic selection, although he concedes it would be a dream come true to make his Games debut this summer.

Nicolas, who is based in Stockley, near Calne, is enjoying an impressive season and heads the new Event Rider Masters series introduced for 2016, having also claimed victory in the opening competition at Chatworth House last month.

Nicolas is also currently the top-ranked French rider in the FEI world rankings at number 20 and is also ranked as the 11th-best European.

However, with three of his compatriots also in the world’s top 30 all vying for spots on the four-strong French team in Brazil, as well as a handful more in the top 100, Astier is not getting carried away.

“I would be very excited if I got the chance to go to the Olympics. I have never made it to the Olympics before so I don’t know how I would feel if I made it but I will try to my best to get there,” said Astier.

“I would love to make the French team every year but obviously, to make it in an Olympic year would be very special.

“I know I am close but I know there are several riders still really in contention. It’s a tricky one and I know the last trial we have in two weeks’ time is going to be decisive.”

The Event Rider Masters series is a new CIC*** competition, which incorporates six legs at iconic British events, with the Barbury Horse Trials, which runs from July 7-10, next on the calendar.

Nicolas tops the leaderboard heading to event three at Barbury after following up his victory at Chatsworth with a 10th-placed finish at Bramham Park last weekend.

However, with Nicolas just one point ahead of American Clark Montgomery in the standings, the 27-year-old hopes to make his adopted home advantage count at Barbury.

A good result there could be vital for Nicolas if he is to be crowned overall champion as, should he make the French Olympic team, he would be ruled out of Gatcombe Park in August.

“It’s good to be at the top already rather than trying to chase other people because there is a chance I am going to miss two legs,” said Nicolas.

“I have got a good chance to go to the Olympics, so I am going to miss Gatcombe, and there is another leg that is during my brother’s wedding. I could miss two legs, which is one-third of the series, so I had better make the most of the rest.”