The individual European showjumping bronze medallists Gilles Thomas and Ermitage Kalone have withdrawn from the World Championships as the stallion has sustained an injury.
Gilles and Joris van Dijck’s stallion clinched the team gold for Belgium in Spain last summer, then went on to stand on the individual podium behind Richard Vogel on United Touch S and Scott Brash with Hello Folie. But Gilles confirmed yesterday (20 July) that they will not be competing in Aachen.
“After the grand prix of Riesenbeck, Ermitage sustained an injury,” he said.
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“Following further examinations, it has become clear that it would not be responsible to bring him to the start of the championship. His health and wellbeing will always come first, no matter how difficult this decision is.”
The final Belgian team for Aachen had not yet been confirmed – the deadline for definite entries is 27 July – but Gilles and 12-year-old Ermitage Kalone were on the short list. They had been on good form at five-star level, jumping clear in the La Baule Nations Cup and coming sixth in the five-star Rolex grand prix that weekend.
“The disappointment is immense,” Gilles said. “We had made this championship one of our biggest goals, and the form we showed over the past few weeks in La Baule and Riesenbeck gave us great confidence and motivation heading into Aachen.
“Wishing team Belgium the very best of luck.”
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