YORKSHIRE rider Nicola Wilson showed the selectors she was here to stay with a blistering performance at Burghley Horse Trials in Lincolnshire.
Riding Opposition Buzz, a horse bred at the Wetherby Yard of Rosemary Search, Northallerton based Nicola proved her place on the Olympic shortlist was well deserved.
It didn't look like a promising start with the pair scoring 57.8 in the dressage which put them in 31st place. But Nicola, who is trained by the Yorkshire Riding Centre's Chris Bartle said it was not his favourite discipline and she was pleased with his test.
And a clear around the technical cross-country course the following day pulled the pair up to eighth with only 3.2 time penalties.
It was an influential day which saw a disappointing end to Huddersfield's Oliver Townend's Burghley with Flint Curtis.
Townend, who was lying eighth after the dressage, retired the 12-year-old grey gelding after a run out at the Land Rover Dairy Farm.
Going into Sunday's show jumping round William Fox-Pitt was lying in first and third place with Tamarillo and Ballincoola, seperated by American Philip Dutton with Woodburn. Mary King was in fourth and fifth with Imperial Cavalier and Apache Sauce.
Woodburn was withdrawn before he jumped which left everything to play for. And Nicola responded with one of only two clear rounds. Pulling the 11-year-old, Opposition Buzz up from eighth to fifth.
"We were thrilled with him, he went ever so well and gave me a fantastic ride cross country and I am delighted to have had a clear round show jumping.
"He's still young and I hope he's just going to go on improving," Nicola said.
- Burghley first timer Tracey Garside from Leeds finished 31 on the 17.1hh Dunauger.
Final placings1. William Fox-Pitt and Tamarillo;
2. William Fox-Pitt and Ballincoola;
3. Mary King and Imperial Cavalier;
4. Mary King and Apache Sauce;
5. Nicola Wilson and Opposition Buzz.
The full article contains 330 words and appears in Evening Courier newspaper.
