No idea what this is about but they’d better kiss and makeup soon!
He does seem, to put it politely, to be very high maintenance. But on the other hand, I would want to be able to use my own vets, farrier and professional services people, not the ones designated by some bureaucratic organization.
The team concept is one of the many things wrong with the Olympics and World Championships.
Sounds to me like he walked because they would not put him on the team for the Aachen event and not that it has to do with vets. That seems consistent with reports of his past diva behavior. Clearly NZ high performance has decided that putting up with his crap is not worth having his considerable talent on the team.
I can’t say I blame NZ High Performance…the behavior I have witnessed from AN firsthand is nothing short of appalling.
I have the utmost respect for his riding and care for his horses, but that is where it ends.
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[QUOTE=Carried Away;8211055]
I can’t say I blame NZ High Performance…the behavior I have witnessed from AN firsthand is nothing short of appalling.
I have the utmost respect for his riding and care for his horses, but that is where it ends.[/QUOTE]
:yes: Agreed, not even surprised.
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I’m not surprised either. The more I learn about AN, the more I think he has a personality disorder of some sort.
Some of the indications which he exhibits are:
Controlling
Blames everything on others
Self-sabotaging
High opinion of self
Temper tantrums
Won’t follow rules others are supposed to follow
Cheating on spouse
Excessively hard working
Viewed horses as vehicle to success (lacks empathy)
So what are the odds that he buys a farm in the USA and tries to get on a team that way???
20-1 or less?
Emily
[QUOTE=Blugal;8211257]
I’m not surprised either. The more I learn about AN, the more I think he has a personality disorder of some sort.
Some of the indications which he exhibits are:
Controlling
Blames everything on others
Self-sabotaging
High opinion of self
Temper tantrums
Won’t follow rules others are supposed to follow
Cheating on spouse
Excessively hard working
Viewed horses as vehicle to success (lacks empathy)[/QUOTE]
This is not an unusual personality profile of someone who is outstanding in a competitive endeavor. It takes drive, and that kind of drive is just not in the normal range of human behavior.
I will point out that ‘cheating on spouse’ is not necessarily indicative of a personality disorder. However prudish or judgmental we want to be, it’s very, very common across a ‘normal’ population for a multitude of reasons and, in many cultures, would not be an indicator of a personality disorder. I think your list would be stronger without that element. 
We’ve collectively wondered many times on the forum as to where are the new/American/Canadian Mike Plumbs or Bruce Davidsons or Mark Todds. One reason for that is that very few people have the kind of single-mindedness and focus it takes to become that dominant rider. For promising riders coming up in the sport, they often realize what it takes, and they also realize that they don’t want to or can’t be that person.
I actually agree with most of your points - this is generally not in the range of normal human behaviour. It seems that some articles, posters, etc. are expecting “normal” behaviour in this whole situation from AN.
In terms of personality disorder, “cheating on spouse” is common, but could have been categorized under one of the main indicators: “difficulty maintaining healthy relationships.”
Ever seeing him walk away from his horse in frustration after it had just fallen and was struggling to get up - without so much as a pat, and without knowing if it was okay - I’ve had absolutely zero respect for the guy. I’ll never erase the memory of watching the poor fence judge coaxing the horse to its feet while AN walked away, slamming down his crop. I don’t care if he cheats on his wife, but that level of self-serving heartlessness has forever scarred me!
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[QUOTE=ellebeaux;8212150]
oh holy cow:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11474679&ref=NZH_Tw[/QUOTE]
Oh my… the drama!
Honestly, watching him ride, one has to be impressed by how easy he makes it look. The balance! Have to say I had not seen the poor horsemanship (the poor attitude is legendary) and I’m very disappointed to hear of it.
Hopefully he is good at (and fond of) training horses, so he will have something to do if NZ doesn’t have him back and if no other NF wants to take on the attitude that comes with the talent.
Didn’t know he actually put his hands on the vet. That goes beyond just being an arrogant jerk.
Yes, everybody was very careful not to mention he assaulted the vet… but it could be read between the lines.
[QUOTE=Blugal;8212215]
Yes, everybody was very careful not to mention he assaulted the vet… but it could be read between the lines.[/QUOTE]
Andrew Nicholson “admitted grabbing NZ Team vet Ollie Pynn by the lapels and shifting him approximately four metres across a corridor because he was dissatisfied with the monitoring of his horse Nereo…” is the most detailed description of the incident that I have seen in print. Assault, indeed. 
Gad, what an ass. There is NO EXCUSE for that behavior.
I enjoy watching American football. I don’t enjoy watching players, no matter how exceptional they are athletically, who are criminally violent and/or who are poor sports, on or off the field.
It’s too bad that some very brilliant sports players are inclined to criminal behavior. I think they are more of a rarity in the equestrian disciplines than in football, but still very disappointing when they do come to light.
I don’t care THAT much about medals and championships. I love to cheer on the home team, but… I want athletes that represent my country/team to be “good sports” and to give it their best effort.
To win at any cost, by tolerating bad behavior by the very talented? No thanks. :no:
“shifting”? …
…
… 12 METERS?
That’s not “shifting”.
[QUOTE=ellebeaux;8212150]
oh holy cow:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11474679&ref=NZH_Tw[/QUOTE]
And AN thinks ESNZ is the one on an ego trip?! bwahahahaha
I’m still confused with why he would be pissed that the vet left his horse unattended on IV. Horses are left usually with the grooms to watch while on IV. The vest most likely has other horses to tend to while yours is on a drip. Maybe I’m missing the point (possibly) but I do not understand why it even was an issue.
As for his personality, I am not the slightest bit surprised, but I condone his effortless riding skills. I have to say he has a wonderful style. Again not surprised with his thoughts of horses being disposable, what UL rider doesn’t at some point. I’ve come to learn that A LOT of UL riders are of his mind set though, its sad, but its true.
If memory serves, one article at the time had a quote that basically suggested that Andrew felt that Nereo was more important as he was the only Team horse left in the competition. The other three horses had not completed XC. I remember finding that particular logic a bit special given that this obviously didn’t mean that the other horses didn’t require any care. Wesko was pulled up for being completely and totally exhausted and may well have required more monitoring and care than Nereo, and Leonidas took quite the tumble up the up bank and likely also needed some attention. Jonelle’s horse was also still in the running individually.
I love AN personality and all but physical violence is unacceptable. Such a shame.
