Top rider's pot arrest

Equestrianism

Equestrianism

The American Bruce Davidson, one of the world's top three-day event riders, was arrested in Auckland yesterday and charged with possession of cannabis.

Police arrested the 55-year-old Davidson, who won Badminton in May, at Auckland International Airport after sniffer dogs singled him out.

Davidson appeared in the Otahuhu District Court later in the day charged with possession of cannabis, a police statement said. He was bailed to reappear in court next week.

A former Olympic team gold and silver medallist, Davidson was world champion in 1974 and '78 and was the world's top-ranked rider in 1993. He was in Auckland for the Puhinui three-day event this weekend.