The Olympic ground jury paused the event for 10 minutes due to bad weather right after Tina Cook’s ride, near the end of the morning dressage session on Sunday. The decision was made after a loud clap of thunder sent the spectators heading for cover while Swedish rider Niklas Lindback was circling the arena. Andrew Nicholson was scheduled to ride Nereo just after Niklas, and he told Stuff.co.nz that he was informed of the delay just “six to seven” minutes before his ride time. Once the competition resumed, Niklas Lindback rode Mr. Pooh to a 45.2 and Andrew followed with a 45.0 for 21st place.
Andrew has spoken out about the situation this afternoon with some pretty forthright quotes. As you read this, just imagine Andrew Nicholson saying it…it’s quite terrifying, I assure you:
“I thought Nereo was very good; I was just disgusted with the organization…They just hold the competition when myself and the Swedish boy were ready to go in. With dressage, we’re given a time, we work it to the minute. It may sound a bit pathetic, but we do, we try and judge our buildup to the minute. You’re prepping the horse up, getting stronger and stronger, more energy, and then suddenly you’re told to stop for 10 minutes. What do you do? Do you let the horse down so he thinks he’s finished work, or do you carry on pressurising him for 10 more minutes, when you know you then can’t have him right in the arena? I question the decision. Why didn’t they stop the British rider? When you’re soaked through for 10 minutes, all you do is get slippery in your saddle. [Nereo] obviously thought he was just in another training session and he felt a bit quiet and confused…
The weather wasn’t bad enough to warrant that. It’s just a bit of rain, isn’t it? There should have been no hold, no hold at all. I’ve been in the rain, I’ve been in the lightning, I’ve been in the thunder, and nobody held anything then. It’s just the principle of it all. All I can do from here is my job and carry on, but I’d expect at an Olympic Games it would be a bit better run than that.” [Stuff.co.nz, emphasis added]
All I’m saying is that if I were a member of the ground jury I wouldn’t stop by any pub known to be frequented by the Kiwi’s tonight. US readers can see the event’s unfold yourself on NBC’s replay of Sunday at minute marker (3:05:00). Go eventing.
