Two team combinations and a travelling reserve have withdrawn from the Agria FEI World Showjumping Championships, ahead of the first day of competition tomorrow (10 August).
Ireland’s Darragh Kenny and VDL Cartello had to withdraw this morning (9 August) after the 15-year-old stallion developed a “veterinary issue”. The horse, owned by Heathman Farm LLC, had passed the first trot-up yesterday.
A Horse Sport Ireland spokesman said following a discussion between the team’s high performance director Michael Blake and team vet Marcus Swail, the decision was taken to withdraw VDL Cartello. Bertram Allen will now step up to the team with 10-year-old Pacino Amiro, his ride at the Tokyo Games. They join teammates Daniel Coyle and Legacy, Cian O’Connor and C Vier 2, and Denis Lynch and Brooklyn Heights.
After the trot-up yesterday H&H reported that five horses had been asked to represent for the veterinary commission today owing to some “uncertainties”. Of those five, two did not come forwards this morning; USA travelling reserve Jessica Springsteen’s ride RMF Zecilie, and Rene Lopez Lizarazo’s team ride Kheros Van’t Hoogeinde for Columbia. The other three horses – Quel Filou 13, the ride of Frenchman Matthieu Billot, Chepettano for Polish rider Maksymilian, and Israeli rider Daniel Bluman’s Ladriano Z – passed on representation and will start tomorrow.
The USA and Columbia brought five combinations each to Herning and therefore both countries will still go forward with a full team of four.
USA:
Lillie Keenan with 12-year-old gelding Argan De Beliard
Brian Moggre with 16-year-old stallion Balou Du Reventon
Adrienne Sternlicht with 14-year-old mare Cristalline
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Santiago Diaz Ortega with 10-year-old gelding Chasandro BoyCarlos Ramirez with 12-year-old gelding Extra Des SequoiasCamilo Reuda with 14-year-old gelding Indus Van Het KeysereyckRoberton Tera Tafur with 14-year-old stallion Dez’ Ooktoff
The World Showjumping Championships action gets under way tomorrow, with the first round of the individual and team competition. The second rounds take place on Thursday, and the team medals will be decided on Friday evening. The individual final takes place on Sunday.
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Since joining H&H in 2018, Becky has covered a broad range of equestrian news including welfare matters, veterinary studies, FEI Tribunal hearings and road safety campaigns. She has also interviewed top riders including Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to name just a few. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, as well as the Royal Highland and Blair Castle International Horse Trials closer to home. She was also a key part of the remote reporting team for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.
