Mediation might sort equestrian stand-off

Andrew Nicholson, a six-time Olympian and among the most decorated riders in his sport, is at an impasse with Equestrian Sport New Zealand. Photo / Christine Cornege

There are times when you're inclined to think, as un-PC as it may be, the simplest method of solving a problem is to revert to direct methods.

In this case, get two meaty paws to bang a couple of heads together as the gulf between one of the country's leading eventing riders and his national body grows ever wider.

Former world No 1 Andrew Nicholson, a six-time Olympian and among the most decorated riders in his sport, is at an impasse with Equestrian Sport New Zealand, who have dumped him from the high-performance squad over a bustup at last year's world games in Normandy.

The Rio Olympics are 15 months away, and as things stand New Zealand will be without one of its finest riders.

New Zealand aren't short of world class eventers - take Jock Paget, husband-and-wife Tim and Jonelle Price, Caroline Powell and Mark Todd for starters, all either four star champions or, in Jonelle Price's case, ranked No 2 in the world.

Nicholson is an important part of the planning for Rio. However unless some common ground is found, he won't be there.

Both parties have entrenched positions. Nicholson has fallen out with senior team management, understood to include coach Erik Duvander. He wants to prepare his way without being obligated by team protocols.

ESNZ say that won't happen. Team comes before individual. And there they sit. Who blinks first.

High Performance Sport New Zealand boss Alex Baumann is monitoring developments and is disappointed in what he's seeing.

Baumann a former Olympic champion swimmer for Canada, has an appreciation of how fragile the dynamics can be in making a successful team of athletes. Discussions have been held between both parties and Baumann. His view is there is going to have to be "some give and take, and part of that is [Nicholson] working in some way with the rest of the team".

"We'd love to see Andrew on the team for Rio, but not at all costs. There is a balance."

Baumann is in charge of the distributing of Government money to sports bodies. He makes no apology for the fact it's a tough, performance-driven business, which can lead to tears.

Now, let's say New Zealand have targeted as a bare minimum, a place on the podium at the team event in Rio. But a Nicholson-less New Zealand finish, say, sixth when his presence would have greatly enhanced the chances of winning a medal.

Funding is locked in until Rio. But whether it would remain at the same level in that scenario is another story altogether. And that's why this matters.

Baumann prefers to leave finding a solution up to the two parties.

There's no immediate sign of rapprochement. It may be some form of mediation is required.

The standoff continues as the British eventing season hits full swing. Riders, full of the joys of an English spring, are out to enhance, or entrench, their Rio claims.

There's any number of reasons this needs to be sorted out, and sharpish.