Great Britain’s Michael Whitaker & Cassionato Withdraw From Olympic Team Final

Whitaker & Cassionato compete in Tuesday’s Second Individual Qualifier/Team Round 1 in Rio

Great Britain’s Michael Whitaker has withdrawn his participation in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games after his horse Cassionato (Cassini I x Quidam de Revel) showed signs of colic on the evening of August 16th, 2016.

Earlier in the afternoon Whitaker competed for Great Britain in the Second Individual Qualifier/Team Round 1 of Olympic Show Jumping, riding a 4 fault round to add to the team total of 14 faults. The team finished 12th in overall Team standings, meaning that Great Britain will miss out on the opportunity to defend their 2012 London Olympic Team Gold. Only the top 8 teams return for Wednesday’s Third Individual Qualifier/Team Round 2 Final.

“Obviously we’re all very, very disappointed for Michael and owners Gary and Beverley Widdowson,” commented Chef d’Equipe Di Lampard. “Cassionato is being treated in the veterinary clinic this evening and is in very good hands. It just shows the effort the horse put into today’s round.”

Teammates Nick Skelton and Ben Maher will however, progress to the third qualifying round after finishing in the top forty-five in the individual standings.

Whitaker who rode second in the order for Great Britain, looked to post the nation’s first clear, but an unlucky toe in the water added a further four faults added to the team total.

“He really spooked at the combination,” Whitaker said. “He was over-jumping if anything, but after the combination he actually jumped much better. I think at moment we’re all slightly deflated, but these things happen.”