Team Austria Withdrawn from Tokyo 2020 Dressage Team Competition
Team Austria are withdrawn from the Tokyo 2020 Dressage Team competition, after last minute changes.
Just hours before the start of the Grand Prix at Tokyo 2020, Austrian team rider, Victoria Max-Theurer announced her withdrawal from participation. Passing the trot up yesterday, Victoria has now voluntarily pulled out of contention for Team Austria.
Her horse, 11-year old, Westfalian gelding, Abegglen, has developed a dental problem which requires treatment meaning the combination will no longer be able to compete. Victoria explained;
I’m very sad because our Olympic dream is over.”
“With a heavy heart I have to pull out from competing in the Grand Prix in Tokyo. In the final training session Abby was not his usual self, the way I know him, and we didn’t know why. We had him checked by the team vet and with the equine clinic here at the show grounds and late last night he was diagnosed with an acute abscess at the root of a molar.”
“The welfare of the horses precedes all else. That is written in stone and I won’t change it.”
“This also means that today we cannot enter the Olympic arena to show for our team and Austria what we can do, what we have worked and focused on the past five very moving years. It hurts but the health of my horses is most important.”
Despite two reserves being named on the closing date for the definite entries, Austria did not send a travelling reserve to Tokyo. The first reserve, Astrid Neumayer with Zap Zap declined to go. The second reserve was Belinda Weinbauer and ride Fustanella, who did not travel out to Tokyo either.
Due to Team Austria haveing no reserve riders present in Tokyo, this means that Austria are automatically out of the running to qualify the team competition (Grand Prix Special on Tuesday 27 July).
Austria will continue with their two individual riders. Florian Bacher riding Fidertraum and Christian Schumach riding Te Quiero SF will represent the nation in the individual competition only.
Header image; Panoramanic view of Baji Koen Equestrian Park Tokyo (JNP) Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games – Baji Koen Equestrian Park (FEI/Christophe Taniere)
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