Andrew Nicholson has decided to withdraw from the Mitsubishi Motor Badminton Horse Trials this week, due to fitness worries following a serious neck injury sustained at the festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park last August.

He was entered with Libby Sellar’s Nereo, individual bronze and team medallist at the 2010 World Equestrian Games and third at Badminton in 2013, but feels he is not quite ready for the test that running competitively at CCI4* level demands.

“I have reluctantly decided to withdraw Nereo from Badminton – through no fault of his own. I have doubts over my own fitness and ability to do him full justice at this point," the rider said today.

“I successfully rode four horses in the advanced at Withington on Sunday, all of whom won prizes, but was aware I felt fatigued by the end of the seven minute cross-country course. It would therefore not be sensible to attempt an 11 and a half minute course at Badminton.

“I have every confidence my strength and fitness will continue to improve and, with the full support of Nereo’s owner Libby Sellar, we now plan to target Nereo towards significant events such as those in the exciting new Event Rider Masters series.”

The New Zealand veteran has competed at Badminton no less than 35 times but has never won the event.

Nereo is a 16-year-old gelding bred in Spain by Ramon Beca. He won the French CCI4* at Pau in 2012, a couple of months after leading New Zealand to team bronze at the London Olympics, where he and Andrew finished fourth individually.

Badminton Horse Trials wished Nicholson well on their official Facebook page, saying: "We hope Andrew makes a full recovery soon and wish him the best of luck for the rest of the season."

Pippa Funnell has also withdrawn from the competition, click here to read more

READ MORE ON THE MITSUBISHI MOTOR BADMINTON HORSE TRIALS IN THE IRISH FIELD THIS WEEKEND