Equestrian: New York back working

New York, the superb horse of Olympian Andrew Nicholson, is back working after an injury scare at the Sydney Games.

The 11-year-old has been struggling for fitness at the equestrian venue Horsley Park, which forced the horse and his four-time Olympics rider out of New Zealand's three-day event team.

New York is still entered for the individual contest, starting Wednesday.

The horse is understood to have been injured when being shod, at least a few days ago, but equestrian team manager Ross Coles said New York had recovered.

Coles said Nicholson had worked the horse on both days over the weekend, and he was still a contender for the individual contest.

However, the horse is understood to not be quite himself yet, which might be the after effects of the long flight from Nicholson's English base.

New York was fifth with Nicholson at the world championships two years ago and fifth at the Badminton horse trials last year.

New Zealand can enter three horses for that competition, and has four to choose from. Nicholson has New York and Dawdle, while Blyth Tait has Welton Envoy and Mark Todd has Eyespy II.

- NZPA