The UK-based New Zealand national is one of the world’s most successful event riders of all time. He has ridden at six Olympics, winning two team bronze and a silver in the process, and seven World Championships, with team gold and both team and individual world medals to his name.
He has also notched up five Burghley titles, winning the five-star three times on Avebury (2012, 2013 and 2014), as well as the 2000 title aboard Mr Smiffy and the 1995 crown with Buckley Province.
Andrew holds the record for the most Badminton completions (37), eventually winning the event in 2017 with Nereo. His other five-star victories came at Pau in 2012, also aboard Nereo, and Kentucky in 2013, with Quimbo.
Andrew Nicholson: a celebration of his career at the highest level
Andrew riding Spinning Rhombus at Badminton in 1991 – with this horse he won team gold at the 1990 Stockholm World Equestrian Games, as well as team silver at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
H66NJA CCI**** Badminton 1991, Andrew Nicholson of New Zealand riding Spinning Rhombus in the cross country of the three-day event. Image shot 1991. Exact date unknown.
(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)
Andrew riding Jagermeister on the way to team bronze at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
H66NJ9 The Olympic Games, Atlanta 1996: Andrew Nicholson (NZL) riding Jagermeister II. Image shot 1996. Exact date unknown.
(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)
During his career, Andrew’s incredible horsemanship helped earn him the nickname ‘Mr Stickability, as is well demonstrated here…
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Buckley Provence en-route to winning Andrew the first of his five Burghley titles in 1995.
Andrew Nicholson&Buckley Province - Burghley 1995
(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)
Andrew Nicholson and Mr Smiffy on their way to winning Burghley in 2000, but it wasn’t all plain sailing…
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
…as they had to survive this heart-in-mouth moment.
Quimbo delivers Andrew his sole Kentucky victory in 2013.
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Andrew on his way to winning his fifth Burghley title in 2014 riding Avebury.
E756KT Burghley, UK. 7th Sep, 2014. Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials. Eventual winner of CCI**** 2014 Land Rover Burghley Horse trials during the x country phase Saturday - Andrew Nicholson (NZL) riding Avebury. Third year in the row. Credit: Julie Badrick/Alamy Live News
(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)
Andrew finally nailed down a Badminton win in 2017, with the help of his five-star cross-country specialist Nereo.
Andrew Nicholson (NZL) riding Nereo, during the cross country phase of the Badminton Horse Trials at Badminton House in the Village of Badminton in South Gloucestershire in the UK on the 6th May 2017
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
Enjoy watching Andrew and Nereo’s complete cross-country round from Badminton 2017
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Former web features editor, point-to-point editor and digital racing editor
Gemma is an experienced journalist, who was a member of H&H staff from 2014 to September 2025. She is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s has reported from numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.
