Three-time Burghley winner Avebury has been withdrawn from Badminton and retired from competition. Ridden by Andrew Nicholson and owned by Mark and Rosemary Barlow, the popular 16-year-old horse has accumulated a huge 2,113 British Eventing points during his career. Rosemary explained the decision was made as “old age had begun to catch up with him”. Avebury is the only horse to have won the Lincolnshire four-star three times (2012-2014) and Barbury Castle CIC3* four times. The grey gelding, known as “Buddy” — a nickname given to him as a foal by Andrew’s daughters Rebecca and Melissa — has won at every FEI level. Over his career, he ran 71 times with Andrew and 11 with his wife, Wiggy, who competed him at novice level. During that time he won 27 times and was placed on numerous occasions. In their first season together in 2007, Andrew and Avebury won the CCI* at Tattersalls and three intermediate classes, as well as finishing second in the British Novice Championships at Gatcombe and fourth in the World Young Horse Championships at Le Lion d’Angers. Their partnership went from strength to strength and they went on to rack up wins in the CCI2* at Tattersalls, CCI3* at Saumur as well as a second place in the CIC3* for eight- and nine-year-olds at Blenheim. They also completed Badminton three times, with their highest placing being 10th at the 2011 event.
