Equestrian: Nicholson leads NZers at Burghley

Andrew Nicholson is the best of the New Zealanders after the opening day of dressage at the four-star Burghley horse trials in England. 

Nicholson, named this week to head the New Zealand team at the World Equestrian Games this month,

is in 14th place on Armada on 54 dressage penalties.

Bruce Haskell and Kiwi Smog are 17th on 56 penalties, and Dan Jocelyn and Special Attorney 19th on 56.8.

British rider Mary King, on Apache Sauce, leads the field on 44.8 penalties, ahead of compatriot William Fox-Pitt on Macchiato on 46.8.

More New Zealanders will compete when the dressage resumes tonight (NZT), among them Craig Nicolai on Just Ironic, Caroline Powell on Lenamore, Annabel Wigley on Black Drum, five-time champion Mark Todd on Major Milestone and Dan Jocelyn on Special Advocate.

The cross country and showjumping phases follow before the event finishes on Monday morning (NZT).