Equestrian: Nicholson out of individual eventing

The New Zealand equestrian team's bad day took a further turn for the worse, as Andrew Nicholson's second horse was ruled out of the Sydney Games eventing competition.

Dawdle joined his best horse New York on the ever-growing New Zealand injury list on Tueday afternoon.

The horse had passed a veterinary inspection last Friday, but was then left out of the team's event.

However chef d'equipe Arthur Grenside said today Dawdle would not be trotted up at this evening's vet check before the three-day event individual contest starting tomorrow.

He said the decision was made in the best interests of the horse.

"In the last couple of days he's just injured himself. We're not sure what it is.

"That's just the way it is with horses. They can't tell you what it is that's wrong."

He said Nicholson, a veteran of three previous Olympics, had pulled Dawdle out on the advice of the team veterinarians.

His other horse New York has had a problem for several days. Team veterinarian Wallie Niederer said the horse aggravated an old injury, and the New Zealanders had run out of time to get him fit.

The eventing squad has lost four horses out of its eight to injury.

Two horses, Ready Teddy and Enzed, pulled up lame after Monday's team cross country, costing the team the chance of a medal.

- NZPA