Olympics: Todd to provide inspiration

New Zealand's Andrew Nicholson, Jonelle Richards, Mark Todd and Caroline Powell after winning a Bronze medal in the Equestrian Eventing. Photo / Brett Phibbs.

Five-time Olympic medallist Mark Todd hopes the equestrian team's success at Greenwich Park will provide some inspiration to the rest of the team.

The three-day event team became the first New Zealanders to stand upon the podium in London when they finished third behind Great Britain and Germany early this morning (NZT).

It should be the first of a flurry, with rowing finals starting tonight and continuing through to the weekend.

"It is important," Todd said of his team's ability to get New Zealand on the board.

"Early in the piece we have kicked off and won a medal. Hopefully it can inspire the others to really get in there and perform. I know it won't be the only medals we win."

Andrew Nicholson was probably unlucky not to bag a second medal after he finished fourth in the individual standings.

But for a controversial, almost unprecedented delay just before he was about to start his dressage routine, he might have finished in bronze as he was just five points out of third.

Todd, Nicholson, Jock Paget, Caroline Powell and Jonelle Richards were last seen settling in for a few celebratory beverages, but they won't be embarking on the 10-day benders some swimmers are famous for after finishing their events.

"I will stay and watch a little bit [more of the Olympics], but unfortunately this is not just my sport but my business," Todd said. "I have more competitions to go to very soon and I also have to move house on August 8."

Todd has recently bought a property in Wiltshire, in England's west.