KELSO-based event rider Caroline Powell has announced that in order to build on her recent success she will be relocating from her long time base in Scotland to England.

Caroline was part of the New Zealand Olympic bronze winning team at the London Games with the popular Scottish-owned grey Lenamore.

She has now moved to Wiltshire and will be in good Kiwi company with fellow team members Mark Todd, Andrew Nicholson and Jonelle Richards close by as well as Jesse Campbell and Clarke Johnstone.

"I would like to thank all of my owners and sponsors for support in this decision," said Caroline. "I'm looking forward to a lot less driving and lots more competing and training. I owe it to the horses and the owners to make the most of the build up to Rio and that means I have to give up living in the Borders although I will still be available to my Scottish clients whenever possible."

Whilst remaining loyal to her Scottish-based pupils and owners Caroline also plans to expand her teaching and clinic base in the South-west.

"This is not a snap decision, it has been a hard thought out one and I am very much looking forward to the challenge of a new venture," added Caroline. "I'll also now be able to attend more of the High Performance Squad training days provided by Team New Zealand."

Caroline orginally moved to Scotland 20 years ago and worked for Ian Stark, grooming at the Atlanta Olympics before marrying and setting up a yard in Kelso. She won Burghley in 2010 with Lenamore and was part of the NZ team at the World Equestrian Games in 2011 in Kentucky with Mac Macdonald.

This weekend Caroline is due to compete at the four-star event at Pau in France with Cameron Crawford's Onwards and Upwards and The Earl of Belvedere in the CIC**.