Team GB rider Harry Charles has announced on social media that he will not participate in the individual jumping final at the 2024 Paris Olympics after his horse Romeo 88 ‘suffered a small overreach’.
The 25-year-old rider, who had previously clinched gold at Paris in the team jumping event – alongside Ben Maher and Scott Brash – was in the running to compete on Tuesday in the individual equestrian final.
Both Maher on Point Break and Brash on Jefferson will still compete in the event, but Charles, a bronze medallist at the 2022 World Championships, stated that while he was a ‘little disappointed’ he admitted that he was just happy to be leaving Paris with a gold medal.
‘Unfortunately, me and Romeo will not start the individual final today in Paris,’ he posted on his Instagram on Monday.
‘After a small overreach yesterday he is not quite the 110 per cent that he has been the whole Games.
‘Maybe I am a little disappointed but, honestly, not really. He has given me so much and took me beyond my dreams. We’re leaving Paris with a gold medal and, more importantly, a happy Romeo so that’s way more than enough for me.
‘Team GB have a great shot at the medals with two of the best today in Scott and Ben so we will be on the sidelines cheering them on.
‘Thank you to everyone for all the support you have given me and Romeo throughout the Games and making it an experience of a lifetime.’
Maher and Brash will still compete at the jumping final at 9.00am BST, wiht Maher looking to retain his gold medal title in the individual event having clinched victory in a six-way jump-off in Tokyo 2020.
More to follow…
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