Show jumper Ben Maher withdrew his defending individual Olympic gold medal partner Explosion W from the British team ahead of the the Agria FEI Jumping World Championship, citing competition fitness.
“We’re incredibly disappointed to have to take this decision, but Explosion W just isn’t quite at his peak fitness to take on the demands of this championship,” Maher said in a press release. “He’s well in himself, but jumping championship tracks over consecutive days takes a great deal of stamina. He’s simply too special a horse to risk so, with his welfare at the forefront of my mind, I felt this was the best action.”
The Agria FEI Jumping World Championship starts Aug. 10 in Herning, Denmark, and continues until Aug. 14. Maher will now represent Great Britain with his reserve horse Oakingham Stud’s Faltic HB.
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“Oakingham Stud’s Faltic HB has jumped fantastically this season, and I’m really looking forward to being part of a very exciting British team in Herning,” Maher said.
