Brazilian eventer claims clerical mistake has scuppered his Olympics
Brazilian eventing reserve Carlos Paro says he will not be able to ride for his country after getting the call-up – because he does not have the correct accreditation.
Mr Paro, who is based in Shropshire, was named as third reserve for the Brazilians in June.
But the two riders above him on the list – Gustavo and Marcelo Pagoto – were suspended for nine and six months respectively by the FEI on Monday (23 July), for testing positive for the banned substances isometheptene and metabolites at Colina CIC*** (21-22 April).
So following the news yesterday (26 July) that Renan Guerreiro’s horse “Kenny” was injured, Mr Paro got the call-up from chef d’equipe Nick Turner.
But Mr Paro was not allowed to enter Greenwich Park.
“I drove down to Greenwich with my horse Political Mandate last night,” Mr Paro told H&H, “but I was told I was not accredited.
“I stayed nearby last night but this morning I was told there was no way I could compete.”
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He claims a form that should have filled out by 24 March had not been returned by the Brazilian federation.
A statement put out by the Brazilians said the eventing team would run a man short, but made no mention of Mr Paro’s situation.
Nick Turner was not available for comment.
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A self-confessed newshound, farmer’s daughter and journalist of many years' experience, Charlotte worked on regional papers before joining H&H in 2007. A regular rider, she visited Ireland in 2010 to investigate the fate of Irish horses through the recession, to much acclaim, and reported from the FEI General Assembly in Rio de Janeiro in 2011. She left Horse & Hound in March 2013.