The New Zealand equestrian Andrew Nicholson had the perfect confidence booster as he prepares for the London Olympics by winning the Barbury Castle International Horse Trials in England on Monday.
No New Zealander has ever won the prestigious Barbury Castle event before.
Nicholson won aboard Avebury and was second on Quimbo, and had perfect cross country rounds on both horses.
Lucy Jackson and Animator II held on to finish in ninth place in the star-studded field.
But it wasn't such a glowing day for the rest of the New Zealand team, all of whom are keen to impress the Olympic selectors before the team is named on Tuesday night.
Jonathan Paget and Clifton Lush, who were lying in second spot going into the final phase, parted company during the cross country, eliminating them from the event.
Mark Todd, who was in third overnight, was also eliminated after he and NZB Campino completely missed a fence in the final stages of the cross country course.
