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All aboard as Buzz prepares to contest four-star US event
Yorkshire rider Nicola Wilson will be facing one of her most challenging events to date when she travels to America next month to compete in the famous four- star Rolex Kentucky three-day event in Lexington riding Opposition Buzz.
Owner Rosemary Search, who will be travelling out to watch them in action, said: "We are thrilled to bits. It will be pretty nerve-wracking watching, but we are all very excited about it."
The horse, bred by Rosemary, has been ridden by Nicola for the past four years and they have worked their way up the rankings to become a powerful combination.
Last year they were placed seventh at Badminton and fifth at Burghley in addition to seventh placing at Aachen and a second at Gatcombe. These results brought them to the attention of the Olympic selectors and they were placed on the reserve list for Beijing.
Lexington is the only four star event to be held in American and attracts 100,000 spectators. It is one of three events in the Rolex Grand Slam of eventing which includes Badminton and Burghley horse trials.
The $250,000 prize was won by Pippa Funnell in 2003. The World Equestrian Games are to be held at Lexington in 2010. The trip to America will mean that Nicola will miss taking part in the indoor cross-country championships at the British Open Show Jumping Championships in Birmingham next month and she will also miss Badminton horse trials in May.
However, Rosemary hopes they might be considered for the European Eventing Championships at Fontainebleu in September.
The other British riders who will be competing at Lexington are: William Fox-Pitt on Navigator; Tina Cook on Miner's Frolic; Lucy Weigersma on Woodfalls Inigo Jones; Mary King on Imperial Cavalier and OIiver Townend on Carousel Quest. The reserves are William Fox-Pitt on Seacookie and Sharon Hunt on Tankerstown.
Nicola and Opposition Buzz have been keeping up their training schedule over the winter with coach Chris Bartle with particular concentration on dressage. They will be doing two events here before leaving for America, the first is at Oasby, Lincolnshire this weekend followed by Weston Park.
"It will be a fantastic experience to go to Lexington and compete and I hope we'll gain plenty of experience," said Nicola.
Her husband Alastair and her parents will be there to support her.
A busy season lies ahead when Nicola will also be riding Sir Robert Ogden's Master Banks, aiming to compete at Chatsworth Horse Trials in May followed by Bramham in June.
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Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 11 February 2012
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