Andrew Nicholson wins British Open title

Andrew Nicholson has won the British Eventing Open Championships at Gatcombe this afternoon. Aboard Rosemary and Barlow's Avebury.  He sped round the cross-country at the Festival of British Eventing presented by BETA to finish just 1sec over the optimum time.

Francis Whittington led going into the cross-country, but his 4.4 time-faults dropped him to second on Catherine Witt’s Easy Target. They still claim the title of national champions, while Andrew is the British open champion. Louise Harwood finished third with Roy Baker and Emma Baker-Jones'Whitson. Another who had just 0.4 of a time penalty.

Three pairs made the optimum time; Paul Tapner on Indian Mill (fourth), Nicola Wilson with Opposition Buzz (sixth) and Gemma Tattersall riding Arctic Soul (eighth).