From: Taranaki Daily News online (18jul10)

A clear cross-country round saw New Zealander Andrew Nicholson and Nereo though to a win in the individual three-day equestrian event at Aachen's World Equestrian Festival in Germany.

It was the first time in the five-year history of eventing at the festival that individual victory did not go to a German rider, equestrian website horsetalk.co.nz said today.

Nicholson was 14th after the dressage, moving to fifth in the three-star event after the stadium jumping.

A clear cross-country round on nine-year-old Spanish-bred Nereo saw Nicholson finish on 46.80 penalties to pip Andreas Dibowski (Germany) and Euroridings Butts Leon on 47.60, with compatriot Michael Jung and Leopin third on 48.20.

Nicholson said he was "very pleased" with Nereo's performance.

"I am sure the horses get better and better every year. And of course the horses gain more experience after tackling such a course."

Other New Zealand riders didn't fare quite so well. Jonathan Paget and Clifton Promise performed best in the jumping, but picked up time and jump faults on the cross-country to finish 21st on 79.60 penalties.

Joe Meyer with Sanskrit and Mark Todd on Chuckleberry had similar problems over country, Sanskrit finished 25th on 92.8 penalties and Chuckleberry 27th on 93.80.

Caroline Powell and Boston Two Tip retired after their third stop.

Germany took the team prize, ahead of Sweden with Britain third and New Zealand fourth.