The No. 2 event rider in the world, Andrew Nicholson, has asked to be removed from Equestrian Sport New Zealand’s 2015 high performance squad following a disagreement with a veterinarian at this year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (France).
In an interview with The New Zealand Herald on Nov. 1, Nicholson said he confronted the veterinarian because he felt his World Games mount, Nereo, wasn’t being properly attended to at the conclusion of cross-country when the 14-year-old Spanish-bred gelding was placed on a routine intravenous drip.
He said Nereo was left without veterinary assistance on multiple occasions and that phone calls had to be made in order to track the veterinarian down. Initially, there was a report of a complaint lodged against Nicholson for his behavior during the disagreement.
“I was so disgusted I decided to take myself out of the high performance program,” Nicholson told the Herald. “My dissatisfaction with the vet was purely over Nereo’s welfare, which I make no apology for prioritizing at all times.
“That’s not what you expect at a world championships for a horse of that calibre,” he continued. “Also, there were only two horses—[the other being Jonelle Price’s Classic Moet]—to look after at that stage of the competition.”
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The pair finished the event in ninth place, but New Zealand failed to finish a team.
On Nov. 2, Equestrian Sport New Zealand’s high performance director Sarah Harris released a statement denying the complaint. “Any complaints would firstly be dealt with by ESNZ, but no official complaints were laid following WEG,” she said. “We have two formal processes under way at the moment—one a debrief about the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and the other our annual performance review with High Performance Sport New Zealand. Once that review and debrief are complete, we will look closely at any feedback to ensure we continue to improve all of our programs.
“The welfare of our horses and riders are of the highest priority to us and our riders,” she continued. “Andrew Nicholson is one of our most celebrated athletes at elite level.”
The seven-time Olympian has been a key contributor to New Zealand’s team results, but there are no major championships next year that he’d miss, and he isn’t ruling out a return to the high performance squad. He’s waiting for ESNZ World Games debriefing before he makes a decision.
“I’m placing faith in the high-performance review process to help rectify the problems,” he said. “Ultimately, the team didn’t deliver at the World Games, despite significant government funding. We have to be realistic in reviewing that.”
