WILTSHIRE rider Andrew Nicholson was left frustrated by a delay that he believes affected his dressage test at the Olympic eventing at Greenwich Park today.

Marlborough-based New Zealander Nicholson, an experienced Olympian and individual bronze medallist at the 2010 World Equestrian Games, was fuming at the 10-minute weather hold-up that he felt affected his horse's performance.

"It was a disgrace, an absolute disgrace," said Nicholson, who lies 21st overnight with Nereo.

"I've got seven minutes to go before my test and I am putting my horse in its preparation, which is a build-up stage, so he is starting to do his best work, and then suddenly it's a 10-minute delay.

"To me the weather wasn't bad enough to warrant that. It's just a bit of rain isn't it?

"I messed up a couple of bits which are normally my best bits because he felt like he was a little bit switched-off.

"I am very frustrated with the organisers. I would expect more from them at an Olympic Games."

Little Cheverell-based couple Clayton and Lucinda Fredericks, chasing back-to-back Olympic medals after helping Australia to team silver four years ago, claimed top 10 places as the second day of dressage came to a close.

A day after Badbury-based Australian teammate Andrew Hoy, on Rutherglen, briefly held the bronze medal position, Little Cheverell-based Fredericks finished tied seventh on horse Flying Finish.

The duo scored 40.00 penalty points to lie just outside the medal positions, while Clayton finished 10th on Bendigo (40.40)

Their efforts left Australia in silver medal position in the team event, while the British quintet are 7.9 penalties behind leaders and gold medal favourites Germany and 4.9 adrift of Australia, with Sweden and New Zealand tied for fourth.

Germany-based Japanese rider Yoshiaki Oiwa was the shock overnight individual leader on a score of 38.10. Italian Stefano Brecciaroli was second and Nicholson's compatriot, 56-year-old New Zealander Mark Todd, who is chasing his third Olympic title, lay one place behind.

Mary King and Imperial Cavalier remain the highest-placed British combination in 12th. Cook and Miners Frolic are 14th, William Fox-Pitt (Lionheart) equal 17th, Phillips (High Kingdom) equal 24th and Nicola Wilson (Opposition Buzz) equal 39th.

Marston-based Brazilian Marcelo Tosi was left in 54th position after scoring 58.00 on Eleda All Black, two places behind another of Nicholson's teammates, Mildenhall-based Jonelle Richards on Flintstar (56.70).

The cross country phase takes place at Greenwich Park tomorrow, with the showjumping concluding the competition on Tuesday.

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