Michael Whitaker to ride Viking, not Amai, if called up
If Michael Whitaker, the non-travelling reserve for the British showjumping team, gets the call-up to compete, he will ride Viking – not Amai, it has been announced.
The decision was made on the basis of veterinary advice due to the “demanding” nature of the three-rounds in the Games.
Michael and Amai recently won the Rolex Grand Prix at Aachen, where Amai’s owner Beatrice Mertens called for the pair to make the Olympic team.
However the horse had previously suffered injuries and Viking, a 10-year-old 16.3h chestnut gelding, was has been selected “with the best interests and welfare” of Amai (pictured) in mind.
Viking is owned by Michael and the pair were members of the Nations Cup team in St Gallen, where Britain finished second.
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A graduate of Exeter University, Amy joined our news team from Redpin Publishing in 2008 as news writer. She was promoted to deputy news editor in May 2013 and became news editor in April 2015. She left Horse & Hound in March 2016 to take up an editorial position in Dubai.