Olympic Champion Harry Charles Withdraws From Individual Jumping Final After Horse Suffers Injury
Great Britain’s Harry Charles, who was 11th in yesterday’s individual jumping qualifier at the Paris Olympic Games will not be competing today. He announced on social media that his mount, Romeo 88, overreached and was not 110%.
“Maybe I’m a little disappointed but honestly not really!” wrote Charles. “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!”
A Precautionary Withdrawal
Charles’ withdrawal is a precautionary measure after Romeo 88 suffered a “small overreach” during the individual qualifier on Monday. This type of injury occurs when a horse’s back hoof strikes its forelimb, potentially causing wounds and lacerations. While not life-threatening, an overreach can sideline a horse for a couple of weeks, making it prudent for Charles to withdraw his mount from the final.
Team GB's Hopes Rest on Maher and Brash
With Charles’ withdrawal, Canada’s Mario Deslauriers, who was 31st yesterday has moved onto the startlist with Emerson and will be first in the ring. The competition starts at 10:00 a.m. local time (4 a.m. ET).
The remaining Team GB hopes now rest on the shoulders of Ben Maher and Scott Brash, who are both still in contention for the individual medal. Both riders have proven themselves to be formidable competitors, and will be looking to make their mark in the final.
A Gold Medal Farewell
Despite the disappointment of withdrawing from the individual final, Charles can still take pride in his performance throughout the Games. He was instrumental in Team GB’s gold medal win in the team jumping event, and he and Romeo 88 have proven themselves to be a force to be reckoned with in the world of showjumping. This withdrawal, however, is a testament to Charles’ commitment to his horse’s welfare, and his decision to prioritize Romeo’s health over his own ambitions is a commendable display of horsemanship. It remains to be seen how Maher and Brash will fare in the individual final, but one thing is for sure: Team GB has a strong chance of adding to its medal tally with these two riders leading the charge.
