NICOLA WILSON has announced that Opposition Buzz, who she partnered to an Olympic silver medal at the London Olympics in 2012, has been retired from elite competition.

The 17-year-old, who is owned and bred by Rosemary Search from Sicklinghall, near Wetherby, will no longer compete in four-star three-day events, and will instead be entered into advanced and CIC *** cross-country competitions. Opposition Buzz, who is nicknamed Dodi, has achieved seven top 11 placings in elite three-day events, and had become recognised as one of the leading cross-country performers in the world.

Nicola, Wilson, who is based at Morton-on-Swale, near Northallerton, partnered him to World Championship team success in Kentucky in 2010, but the pair’s greatest success came at London two summers ago when they were part of the British team that won an Olympic silver medal.

Linking up with Tina Cook, Zara Phillips, Mary King and William Fox-Pitt, Wilson guided Opposition Buzz to a clear round in the cross-country before another impressive showing in the show-jumping helped secure second place.

Nicola said: “We have a responsibility to do what is right by Dodi as he is so very special to us all.

“To be part of the British senior eventing team on four occasions, including two European Championships, one World Equestrian Games and one Olympic Games, and through the support of so many, including UK Sport, he has medaled at them all.”

Nicola will continue to compete at elite level with a new crop of younger horses, and retains ambitions of competing in the Rio Olympics in 2016. She will ride Annie Clover and Beltane Queen at this year’s Badminton, and will take Watermill Vision to the Tatersalls International Three-Day Event and One Two Many to the Equi-trek Bramham CCI***.

Nicola will be at a jumping clinic at Manor Farm, Thornthorpe, on Tuesday. For more details go to maltonridingclub.co.uk