MARLBOROUGH-BASED eventer Andrew Nicholson won the famous Amlin Plus Eventers’ Challenge at Hickstead’s Longines Royal International Horse Show.

It was the second time Nicholson has won the class, having previously taken the honours in 2002 riding Mallards Treat.

Nicholson rode Sally-Anne Eggington’s Cillnabradden Evo, whom he hailed as a future top horse.

The New Zealander said; “He's a horse I've been riding just over a year. Lucy Wiegersma started him off. He's a winner but I've tipped him up a few times trying to go too fast on him.

"He'll end up being a top horse, he's just gone up the grades very quick. Him out there today - that's the horse that he is.”

The popular event returned to the programme with a slightly new format following an absence last year, and is now kept entirely within the arena, and unlike before only event riders are eligible to compete, allowing the cross-country fences to become more technical and demanding.

Nicholson added: "It's very intense out there, a lot of pressure. I love coming here - it's a fun day out but then the fun has finished and it's serious stuff. The fences come at you very quick and it felt like the spectators were there watching you the whole way round.

"My horse is a bit looky and tense of crowds, so he's come here for a bit of education. I was quite pleased when we were through the Devils Dyke and it was all still up."

The Eventing Grand Prix had been held at Hickstead since 1998, and was the first event of its kind to be held at an international competition.

A number of top riders have won the title during its 16-year history, including eventers Pippa Funnell and Lucinda Fredericks, plus showjumpers Michael Whitaker, Shane Breen and Trevor Breen. Eventer Gary Parsonage was the most successful rider of all in the class, winning a total of four times.

The six-day horse show is one of the oldest and most prestigious competitions in the calendar, and also hosts a leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Series, providing the British public their only chance to see their national showjumping team compete on home turf.