THE equestrian world breathed a sign of relief at the news that world class event rider Andrew Nicholson is able to walk unaided after surgery to repair his neck, damaged in a fall at the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park.

Nicholson (54) sustained the neck injury after an uncharacteristic fall from his Irish-bred horse Cillnabradden Evo at the CIC*** Gloucestershire event last Sunday.