London 2012 Olympics: equestrian chief resigns over Locog eventing inspection row Locog organisers say the decision results from operational issues at Greenwich Park, but Thomas told Telegraph Sport on Friday it was "bureaucratic claptrap" more connected with trying to keep the equestrian public away than constraints at the venue. The inspections involve horses being trotted-up in front of judges and a veterinary adviser to check they are sound both before the competition starts - on this occasion, just hours before the opening ceremony on July 27 - and before the final day's show jumping. FEI rules for the London 2012 Olympic Games state provision must be made for spectators, but there are no ticketing arrangements for July 27, and on the final day gates open at 8.30 - after the second horse inspection is over. Thomas, director of Badminton horse trials, first contacted venue manager Tim Hadaway about the anomaly two weeks ago and decided to resign, hoping to embarrass officials into a u-turn. He said: "I have fought this battle at two previous Olympics Games [including Atlanta, where he was FEI technical delegate] and the organisers caved in. Mike Etherington-Smith had the same battle in Athens and we thought we'd won. It was important to get it in the rule book so organisers can't duck the issue. Thomas said in his email to Hadaway: "I truly think this is a disgraceful decision and it particularly upsets me since I, when course designer, technical delegate and then chairman of the FEI Eventing Committee, personally ensured at previous Games, despite the initial wishes of the organisers, that the great tradition within eventing that the inspections are open and transparent should be upheld. The public nature of the proceedings is the guarantee of integrity and for enthusiasts a fascinating and integral part of the competition. If this decision is irreversible, I do not wish to be even slightly involved as an official with an organisation that treats the public and indeed the traditions of our sport in this way, so please replace me as a member of the ad hoc committee and cancel my accreditation. Locog accepted his resignation and say a number of factors prevented the inspections being public. A Locog spokeswoman said: "Operationally there were a number of factors which meant that we were not able to ticket the horse inspection event. The horse inspection happens on the day of London's Olympic Opening Ceremony and the final day of the Torch Relay so there is a lot of Olympic activity in the capital and a big demand on police resources and public transport. An operational decision was taken not to open this to the public for these reasons.