Gareth Hughes Withdraws from Rio Team Selection

Gareth Hughes Withdraws from Rio Team Selection

Gareth Hughes withdraws only horse from Rio long list team selection

Dressage rider Gareth Hughes, has today announced his withdrawal from the Rio long list team selection. His horse Classic Briolinca, injured her leg during warm up for Rotterdam CHIO this week. The decision to withdraw shows Gareth’s true commitment to the welfare of his horses.

Gareth assured dressage fans that the 16.3h mare, owned by the Hughes family and Julia Hornig of Classic Dressage, will be fine. On a Facebook post Gareth explained they will “Take her home and give her the time she needs”

Classic Briolinca, who has been with the Hughes’s since she was three, is a real favourite with Gareth’s fans and the team at home. It was Gareth’s wife Rebecca, who found the Trento B x Royal Dance mare in Holland as a three-year-old and now at 10, Gareth has produced her to ride Grand Prix level dressage. She made her début in 2015 and although she hasn’t seen much action this year, when taken to competition she consistently receives scores over 70%. With her success under saddle so far, this mare is a ‘real one to watch for the future’.

We wish Classic Briolinca a full recovery and look forward to seeing her return to the circuit next year.

To keep up to date with news from Gareth Hughes visit the Hughes Facebook page