MARLBOROUGH-BASED Frenchman Astier Nicolas has won the first leg of the Event Rider Masters (ERM), a new 20/20 version of an equestrian event over two days which boasts prize money of £350,000 in 2016.

Following on from their strong performance at the Badminton Horse Trials, the French dominated the inaugural event of this exciting series filling all three places on the podium at the Dodson & Horrell Chatsworth International Horse Trials.

Forty riders from nine nations took part and Nicolas, riding Piaf De B'Neville (Ben), landed the £16,000 first prize.

He was joined on the ERM podium by Thibaut Vallette and Karim Laghouag who finished in second and third place.

Gemma Tattersall finished in fourth place on Quicklook V to be top Briton just as she had been at Badminton aboard Arctic Soul.

But the unlucky rider was Great Britain’s Kitty King from Stanton St Quintin. She and Ceylor LAN held a commanding lead after the dressage and showjumping but an incident in the start box of the cross-country cost her expensive time faults moving her right down the final order to 17th, two places ahead of Zara Tindall on Watkins.

Former Hartpury College student Nicolas said: “It’s amazing to win the first leg of ERM and I am delighted for my horse Piaf De B'Nneville. His showjumping and cross-country was spot on today.

“This new competition format means you ride it more like a three-day event rather than one day and the crowds getting behind the riders has created a really big atmosphere across all three phases.

"The big aim for this horse is the Olympics this summer and this weekend’s competition has been an excellent preparation for that.”

The leading rider over the whole ERM points-based series wins £30,000. The second leg of the ERM takes place at the Equi-trek Bramham International Horse Trials (June 9-12).