New Zealanders Andrew Nicholson and Caroline Powell staked clear Olympic claims, both finishing in the top five at the Bramham International Horse Trials in England overnight.

A double clear by Nicholson and Nereo in the showjumping phase of the three-star north Yorkshire event wasn't quite enough to take victory.

The combination finished on their dressage score of 42 and in second place, just 3.3 penalty points behind winning British rider William Fox-Pitt on Neuf des Coeurs.

Powell and Lenamore finished on their dressage score in fourth place, with Nicholson just 0.8 penalty points behind on Avebury.

"Lenamore felt fantastic," Powell said afterwards.

"He's pretty used to rain and mud in Scotland, so the conditions didn't bother him at all."

In challenging conditions, the dressage was conducted in pouring rain that still managed to produce some good scores, although Nicholson felt Nereo - who scored 42 penalty points - had gone better than his other mount Avebury who notched 40.5.

Powell and Lenamore made a great come-back in the dressage to finish on 45, despite an almighty buck mid-test, while New Zealand's defending champion Jonathan Paget and Clifton Lush scored 48.

Experience shone through in the showjumping phase the following day: Nicholson and Nereo went clear and moved up the board, Powell and Lenamore also finished without penalty, and Nicholson and Avebury hit an unlucky last rail.

A strong New Zealand team now heads to the four-star event at Luhmuhlen in Germany this week, including Nicholson with Mr Cruise Control, Shady Grey and Calico Joe, along with Mark Todd on Major Milestone.