Andrew Nicholson (NZL) riding Nereo, retiring during the Show Jumping phase of The Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials in South Gloucestershire, UK on 6th May 2018
He also finished second at Burghley three times, in 2016, 2013 and 2011, and helped New Zealand to team bronze at the London 2012 Olympics.
“It seemed a good place to retire him,” said Andrew.
Badminton final scores
“Things didn’t quite work out how I wanted them to, but the show he put on yesterday was superb and hopefully that’s what people will remember him for.”
The combination had been lying in 12th place overnight and were sent to the holding box at the final veterinary inspection on Sunday morning.
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Andrew made the decision to withdraw Nereo from the holding box and the horse was officially retired to a standing ovation from the packed stands ahead of the top-20 showjumping rounds.
“In my mind I was always retiring him this weekend,” added Andrew.
“The vet in the holding box wanted me to re-present him, he looked good on the grass but on the hard he wasn’t sound.
“He lost a shoe yesterday, he is getting old and the bones in his feet aren’t as tough as they used to be.
“With what happened at the trot-up, it seemed a good plan when they asked me if I wanted to take him in after the parade — that seemed perfect.”
Find out what riders thought about their rounds over the 2018 Badminton cross-country course
Andrew said winning here in 2017 was the “highlight” of Nereo’s career.
“I’ve done it all with him — by performing year after year at this level and at the top, not just making up the numbers, he showed unbelievable toughness.”
Nereo has won five out of his 40 international starts and been placed in the top-10 in 25 others.
Andrew added Nereo will enjoy an active retirement with the rider’s daughter Lily taking over the reins.
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Our bumper 24-page Badminton report will be in our 10 May issue, including opinion from Oliver Townend, Mark Phillips and Peter Storr.
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Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.
