A DREAM came true for Nicola Wilson when she took her first top prize in the Equi-Trek Bramham International Horse Trials last weekend.

Wilson, of Morton-on-Swale, near Northallerton, has long held an ambition to take a title on her home turf and her win in the CIC3* was made all the sweeter as it came thanks to her partnership with the 11-year-old Annie Clover, a horse owned by her parents, Mary and Barry Tweddle.

The mare was bought by the family as a four-year-old and, after her fourth placing in the CCI3* at Bramham last year, a top place in the competition has been Wilson's target.

Wilson said: "It feels fantastic to win here in Yorkshire. It is a very special day for the family and for the yard. Bramham was my goal. It is a dream come true."

Early morning rain on Saturday left the cross-country course through Bramham Park in foot-perfect condition and, to put the icing on the cake, the sun came out for Wilson's run with Annie Clover.

The combination set out in second place on the leaderboard with nothing to add to their dressage score from the showjumping on Saturday morning. Wilson kicked on over Ian Stark's technically-challenging course, completing clear within the optimum time. They then had a nail-biting wait at the top of the board until almost the end of the order when her only threat, Pippa Funnell, on Billy The Biz, with a lower dressage score and no showjumping penalties, went on the attack.

Funnell, a four-times winner of the CIC3* at Bramham, gave Wilson a run for her money, but was not quite quick enough – notching up four time penalties to put her down to second place.

Wilson, London Olympic team silver medallist and European team member, then underlined her mark in Yorkshire's premier equestrian event by taking her second ride in the CIC3*, Watermill Vision, from an overnight 11th placing after dressage and showjumping to fourth.

The 13-year-old gelding, owned by North Yorkshire businessman James Lambert, went into the cross-country with no showjumping penalties and completed a faultless round to give Wilson two places on the podium.

Third place in the British Equestrian Trade Association CIC3* was taken by New Zealander Caroline Powell on Onwards And Upwards.

Things didn't go quite to plan with Wilson's only ride in the CCI3* when she had to pull up Bulana three fences out into the cross-country. The nine-year-old, competing in her first CCI3*, ran out and Wilson had problems getting her back on track.

She said: "Bulana was very wound up before going into the cross-country and, after we set out, was getting quicker and quicker. She's inexperienced and I decided the best thing to do was to pull her up. There's always another day."

The Equi-Trek CCI3* was won by young contender Flora Harris, 27, riding Bayano. Kitty King was second on Persimmon with Gwendolen Fer, of France, third on Romantic Love.

William Fox-Pitt, who was in second place overnight, saw his chance of winning an eighth Bramham CCI3* title disappear when he toppled two poles in the showjumping on Sunday.

The Bishop Burton College Under 25s CCI3* was won by Yorkshire's Holly Woodhead on DHI Lupison, with Dani Evans second and third on Smart Time and Raphael II respectively.