Glynn met Nicholson at his Wiltshire home last Monday, after his sixth-place at Badminton. Nicholson has also debriefed Baumann, from his perspective.
The upshot is relations between Nicholson and ESNZ appear to be thawing. At best, the May 27 meeting could result in Nicholson being presented with a proposal about his re-entry into the high performance squad, which is due to be reviewed next month. At worst, a strong stance on team behavioural issues might continue to make an example of him, a move which could cost him the majority of his annual $55,000 performance enhancement grant.
Regardless of the decision, Nicholson welcomes closure.
"I want to be back in the high performance squad, provided it is in a situation where I can perform to the maximum of my ability," he said.
"I don't want to be there for the sake of it. A resolution either way would be a load off my mind. It's been a long time now. It seems to crop up in some form most days and it's generally negative stuff. It'd be better to draw a line through it. They can take me back or reject me, as long as it's clear."
Nicholson said he would prefer a more clinical approach in the build-up to team events in future.
"There was too much encouragement to do events in riders' comfort zones before the World Equestrian Games. Their horses need to become more match fit.
"It can't simply be about retaining funding or the New Zealand badge you earn. It's about winning. ESNZ needs to fix that or risk disappointment at the Olympics."
Duvander's role is a moot point in negotiating Nicholson's return. The high performance coach would willingly start afresh.
"I'd have no problems working with Andrew again," he said.
"We've worked together a long time and he has been a fantastic team member in the past.
"The baseline is that, in the team, you're required to behave in the manner of family or community. We can't have unacceptable behaviour. It has to be a safe team environment that younger riders aspire to join.
"Straight after the Games, I tried to negotiate the situation, to sort it out internally, but his withdrawal from the team was not in my hands.
"In sport, people will make mistakes. We're all human. We've just got to look to improve our systems through debriefing and there were definitely issues which could have been worked through."
Complicating matters is the fact New Zealand are yet to qualify for any spots at Rio after their 15th-placed team performance at the World Equestrian Games - only the top six and host country Brazil automatically qualified.
New Zealand must contest an Asia-Pacific Olympic qualifier in the Netherlands in October when Japan are expected to be their main competitors. Fail, and they will have to qualify a composite team via the individual world rankings.
As the world's eighth-ranked rider, Nicholson has a number of useful ranking points if the cause became desperate.
ESNZ also received $2.05 million of taxpayer high performance funding last year and are scheduled to receive $7.45 million across the 2013-16 cycle, the fifth-highest of any New Zealand sport.
Part of that investment was based on Nicholson's performances. He helped New Zealand win team bronze at the 2010 WEGs and 2012 Olympics.
However, with three scores counting out of four riders at Rio rather than five riders at London, the emphasis will be on athletes suited to a team, because that's perceived as New Zealand's best chance of earning one of two targeted medals.
If the 53-year-old is not prepared to agree points principally relating to behaviour, he might fall from favour given New Zealand's depth.
Jock Paget, Tim and Jonelle Price and Sir Mark Todd have secured top-10 finishes at four-star events in the past year. Those four and Nicholson were all in the top 20 at Badminton.
"There's no question Andrew's a superbly talented athlete and has been one of our stars for years," Glynn said. "We are dealing more with behaviour than performances. Andrew's got a pretty strong mind. That's what made him the brilliant sportsman he is.
"If there were five riders at Rio, you could have someone on a more individualist pathway, but if three out of four scores count, you have to work to a team strategy.
"Andrew's a reliable individual but it can't be at any cost. We can't let him determine his own fate, ride at his own pace and not follow a collective decision.
"Andrew has been a great team player in the past, there's no reason he shouldn't be again."
