Andrew Nicholson and Nereo retained the commanding lead they took mid-morning to hold pole position at the end of the first day of dressage at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (England).

“From start to finish this was probably the smoothest test he’s done,” said Nicholson of the 15-year-old Spanish-bred gelding, who has three Badminton completions to his name. “I could ride him forward for the maximum marks and he stayed with me. He went into that arena and gave me 100 percent; he doesn’t look at the people, he’s focused on me and he knows what he has to do.”