Hermes Ryan Injured: France’s Simon Delestre Withdraws From Olympic Games
Hermes Ryan and Delestre compete at La Baule CSIO5* in May, 2016.
UPDATE 8/10/16 11:00AM:
Simon Delestre announced that he is withdrawing from his position on the French Olympic team, due to an injury incurred by his horse Hermes Ryan:
“It’s with deepest regret that I announce the forfeit of Hermes Ryan for the Olympic Games,” Delestre said. “The exams have revealed a micro-fracture of the hock. An unfortunate injury that ends all my Olympic dreams, and those of Hermes Ryan’s family. But our priority if his health. Our whole team will take care of him so that he comes back in perfect shape for the next major events.
“I’ll support my teammates on the French Team along their way through these Olympic Games.”
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The French Olympic Show Jumping Team may see a rider change after Simon Delestre’s mount Hermes Ryan came out of his stall not quite right on Tuesday, August 9th. The severity and any type of injury that Hermes Ryan may have incurred has not been officially disclosed, as assessments and veterinary examinations are still underway.
The show jumping horses arrived at Deodoro Equestrian Complex in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil well ahead of the start of competition for familiarization and to settle in. Olympic show jumping begins on Sunday, August 14th, with the horse inspection scheduled for Friday, August 12th.
Delestre and Ryan, an 11-year-old Selle Francis gelding (Hugo Gesmeray x Ryon D’Anzex) that carried Delestre to 5th place in last year’s FEI European Championships, were selected to represent France in Rio along with teammates Kevin Staut, Roger Yves-Bost, and Penelope Leprevost. Phillipe Rozier is traveling alternate.
French chef d’equipe Philippe Guerdat explained that Ryan immediately underwent a thorough veterinary examination:
“If there is any risk, we will not take it.”
“It’s still early to know precisely what he had. We spent the day doing an MRI, we did everything we could. We don’t see anything on the ultrasound, no fracture on the hip. We don’t know if he rolled, if he badly stood up. It’s inexplicable, it’s more than bad luck.
“We have to wait for tomorrow, as we will wait for 48 hours before releasing an official prognosis. Unfortunately, for the horse, for Simon and for the French team, the couple could be out. They are one of our assets and we have built our team around [Penelope Leprevost’s] Flora and Ryan. He was preserved all season for these Olympics, so it would be unfortunate not to have him participate, but Ryan’s health is our priority and everything will be done for him. But if there is any risk, we will not take it.”
Rozier and his horse Rahotep de Toscane are in Rio De Janeiro with the team, and are ready to step up to team position if they are needed. France will make a decision prior to the show jumping horse inspection.