Andrew Nicholson back on horse

Andrew Nicholson. Photo / File.

Andrew Nicholson is back on the horse.

The Kiwi equestrian has returned to riding after a serious accident in August where he suffered a neck injury at an event in Gatcombe.

Andrew Nicholson hasn't been included in Equestrian Sport New Zealand's 2016 high performance squad for now due to an ongoing dispute stemming from last year's World Equestrian Games.

He says the Rio Olympics are not a priority for him, but he'll see how he goes in his return to competition.

"To be honest the Olympics aren't at the top of my list at the moment, it's just about getting back to fitness and then deciding if I want to compete," said Nicholson. "I don't want to be competing just to make the numbers, I only want to do it if I can pick up where I left off. I guess the problems I've had with Equestrian NZ have put me off a little bit as well.

"But I would be happy to go along if it was to my way of thinking but I won't just go to keep ENZ happy. It would have to be on my terms."

Nicholson has been back riding for a week now and is enjoying the 'mending process'.

"It feels very comfortable riding now, it doesn't hurt anywhere and doesn't really feel like I had much of a break," said Nicholson.

"I want to go to compete in Badminton and win Badminton in May but it's no good just talking about it, you've got to be in the right frame of mind and be very clear in the mind about what you're doing and why you're doing things and I won't know that till I get a little further down the line."