ANDREW Nicholson’s famous ride Avebury is set to be honoured at this year’s Barbury Horse Trials after the event renamed its signature fence after the 15-year-old gelding.
Marlborough-based star Nicholson has won Barbury three times on the 15-year-old grey gelding and the Trials have released a short film, entitled ‘The Avebury Story’, which pays tribute to the ‘real white horse of Wiltshire’.
Avebury was bred by New Zealander Nicholson, raised in Wiltshire, and named after the world heritage site located just a few miles away from Barbury - the Avebury stone circles.
The horse is also a regular visitor to the Barbury Estate, where he works on its famous gallops.
Six-time Olympain Nicholson said: “Avebury loves Barbury and he also loves the camera, so filming this video was good fun.
“We are all proud of what he has achieved here and look forward to being back at Barbury in a few weeks’ time.”
Trials chairman Nigel Bunter added: “After winning Barbury for a remarkable third time and with Avebury's local connections, we wanted a lasting tribute and felt renaming our most iconic cross-country fence was a fitting tribute to a wonderful horse.
“We hope Avebury fans will enjoy our film on him. We want to encourage as many as possible to visit Barbury in July to see a living legend and maybe history repeating itself with a four-timer.”
Watch 'The Avebury Story' below:
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