Andrew Alderson: Time to eat crow and offer a carrot

Andrew Nicholson. Photo / Getty Images

Equestrian Sports New Zealand faces a dilemma. On one hand, they must tranquilise an irate Andrew Nicholson who, at 52, is arguably in the form of his career after being awarded the 2013 Burghley title seven months late. On the other, they need to coax 30-year-old Jock Paget to continue despite the disqualification of his doped horse, Clifton Promise, which granted Nicholson the victory.

In equine parlance, they need to apply more carrot than stick.

Nicholson delivered a tirade on Television New Zealand's sports news lamenting the inaction to transfer his title. He reserved a special mention for the New Zealand governing body: "God only knows what [chief executive] Jim Ellis was thinking of when he released that bulls***," in reference to a press release where Paget asked for the tribunal to rule on his disqualification rather than waiting for the June hearing.

ESNZ can ill-afford to irritate Nicholson. He rides the cross-country on Avebury this morning at the Rolex Kentucky three-day event, which, with Badminton and Burghley, is considered a 'grand slam' title. When Badminton finishes on May 11, he could become just the second rider after Brit Pippa Funnell in 2003 to hold all three crowns and receive a US$350,000 reward. Last year, Nicholson went to Badminton with a grand slam in prospect but finished third - Paget won.

By raising Nicholson's ire, ESNZ has put one of its most successful eras at risk. Development was on the wane at the Beijing Olympics where the team finished fifth. Younger talent such as Paget, Jonelle Richards and Clarke Johnstone have since emerged.

The team bronze at the 2010 World Games was the catalyst for improvement. Nicholson and Mark Todd bought into a team rather than individual ethos. Younger riders could learn from the best. Other teams looked in awe at New Zealand's camaraderie, apparently a rare equestrian phenomenon. The upshot is ESNZ receives $7.45 million over this Olympic cycle after taking bronze at London.

However, the intellectual property Nicholson offers is worth more, because it can benefit teams for generations. His Wiltshire farm proved the perfect environment for Paget to spend his apprenticeship.

Paget's career is now in limbo following the fiasco, which has dented his income. He can't attend competitions or national training camps, so has resorted to taking the odd private coaching clinic.

Anything more than a zero ban from his world governing body tribunal hearing would rule him out of the World Equestrian Games in France in August, the pinnacle event for the New Zealand team outside of the Olympics.

ESNZ knows Paget's success had helped younger riders realise the sport has a future beyond Nicholson and Todd. Now they're tasked with helping heal his psychological wounds.