Equestrianism: Nicholson's special Treat does not pay the penalty

Andrew Nicholson maintained the event riders monopoly of yesterday's feature contest at the Royal International Horse Show, the Mitsubishi Eventing Grand Prix, when he rode a splendidly rhythmic round on Mallard's Treat to win the plum prize of a car and £5000.

The New Zealander incurred 10 penalties for two mistakes over the marathon course of 28 fences, but everybody else made errors as well and his fast time left him with 1.46sec in hand over Sweden's Peder Fredricson on Four Roses.

Pippa Funnell and The Tourmaline Rose, who had won three of the four previous runnings of this annual contest between eventing and show jumping riders, finished third after a 20-second penalty for four mistakes. Michael Whitaker, the runner-up to Funnell for the last two years, was again the best of the show jumpers in fourth place on Chris Ward's event horse, Sir Dino.

Visiting riders, headed by Peter Geerink of the Netherlands on Joint Venture, took the top four prizes in the Osborne Refrigerators Stakes. This qualifier for tomorrow's Grand Prix had limited success for the home competitors, who have gained only seven of the 30 places. These fortunately include both Di Lampard and Mark Armstrong, who are bound to be included in the Great Britain squad for September's World Equestrian Games that will be announced here tomorrow.

Michael Whitaker and Handel II, previously contenders for a place in the World Games, may now have ruled themselves out after incurring 15 faults – eight for jumping (including a refusal) and another seven for exceeding the time allowed. Scott Smith, had his problems on Thursday when Cabri d'Elle incurred 20 faults in the two rounds of the Nations Cup. It emerged that the stallion had damaged both front heels through over-reaching and has returned to his Yorkshire yard. Smith, who is still hoping to be included in the World Games squad, will be back here for tomorrow's announcement.

ROYAL INTERNATIONAL HORSE SHOW (Hickstead): Mitsubishi Eventing Grand Prix: 1 Mallards Treat (A Nicholson, NZ) 219.84sec; 2 Four Roses (P Fredricson, Swe) 221.30; 3 The Tourmaline Rose (P Funnell, GB) 223.92. Osborne Refrigerators Stakes: 1 Joint Venture (P Geerink, Neth) clear, 82.92sec; 2 Carling King (K Babington, Irl) clear, 85.92; 3 Dileme de Cephe (B Broucqsault, Fr) clear, 86.55. Best GB: 5 Limbo V (A Davies) clear, 88.07. Sussex Speed Stakes: 1 Captain Wellington (A Davies, GB) 77.52sec; 2 Lady Cathago (A Hoorn, Neth) 77.83; 3 Silwa Kassiopaja (H Weinberg) 85.27.