Ballaghmor Class withdrawn from Paris Olympic choice

Oliver Townend’s Tokyo staff gold medal-winner Ballaghmor Class has been withdrawn from the Paris Olympics nominations as “his welfare and happiness is extra vital than anything”.

Oliver and the 17-year-old gelding, owned by Karyn Shuter, Angela Hislop and Val Ryan, had been named on the British long-list for this summer season’s Olympic Video games nevertheless it was introduced right this moment (11 June) that he can be withdrawn as he has not achieved his ultimate qualification consequence. The choice was made “in full collaboration with” British Equestrian eventing efficiency supervisor Dickie Waygood, Oliver and the horse’s house owners.

Oliver and his staff mentioned: “We’re disheartened to withdraw Ballaghmor Class from Staff GB Olympic choice. As his preparation for a long-format occasion within the first half of the season was interrupted, we couldn’t safe the ultimate qualification for the Olympics with out compromising his finest pursuits.

“That is so disappointing for the entire staff, however ‘Thomas’ means the world to us and on the finish of the day, his welfare and happiness is extra vital than every little thing else.

“He’s one in all few particular horses that has an Olympic gold to his identify and whereas he can be aiming for an autumn five-star, we hope that stablemate Cooley Rosalent will fly the flag in our bid to be chosen for the Video games. Large because of British Equestrian, Thomas’s house owners, our sponsors and the staff round us who’ve proven unwavering help in making this determination.”

Oliver remains to be on the nominated checklist with Paul and Diana Ridgeon’s Cooley Rosalent. The British Eventing selectors will work with Dickie to call a alternative mixture for the Olympic eventing nominated checklist subsequent week.

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H&H information editor

Eleanor is an skilled journalist who spent over eight years working for native and nationwide newspapers earlier than becoming a member of H&H as information editor in March 2016. Keen about equine welfare and exposing the reality, Eleanor has reported on all features of the trade, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage guidelines to mules. Her sport of selection is showjumping, wherein she competes her personal horses, and she or he additionally enjoys reporting at native leaping exhibits by means of to worldwide championships.