Eventer Peternell wins Olympic appeal but still not nominated for Games
British-based South African eventer Alexander Peternell could be on his way back to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after the South African Equestrian Federation (SAEF) refused to submit his nomination for the 2012 Olympics.
Mr Peternell won his appeal to CAS against SAEF’s choice of Paul Hart as eventing individual at Greenwich.
And on Saturday, 21 July, CAS ruled that Mr Peternell is the only rider the South Africans can consider.
But last night (Monday) Tubby Reddy of the South African Olympic association (SASCOC) said they had decided no eventer would represent South Africa in Greenwich.
He said: “The federation maintains that in their opinion Paul Hart is the correct choice and therefore have not seen their way clear to submit a nomination for Alex Peternell.
“Given this scenario and in keeping with Article 6.3.3 from SASCOC’s Articles of Association, the SASCOC board has decided that we will not utilise the one slot available to the eventing discipline at the Olympic Games.
“The board therefore maintains that the sport of equestrian will not have any representation at the Olympic Games.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“The board is fully aware that Mr Peternell may go back to CAS for an urgent hearing and we are prepared to defend our case, while noting that CAS’s ruling on the new appeal may have to be adhered to by ourselves.”
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
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.