The gulf between champion eventer Andrew Nicholson and Equestrian Sport New Zealand appears to be widening.
There was a significant fallout between former world No1 rider and six-time Olympic Games representative Nicholson and the sport's bosses after an incident during the world games in France late last year.
A verbal and physical altercation between Wiltshire-based Nicholson and a vet sparked the bust-up, with Nicholson withdrawing himself from the high performance group.
According to ESNZ, Nicholson has been unwilling to meet certain standards the national body requires and has put conditions on rejoining the high performance squad.
ESNZ say Nicholson won't budge on his demands - which include not working with some members of the team management and being allowed to work as an individual outside the squad. The governing body won't change its position.