Versailles, France—July 26
This story has been updated at 6:04 a.m. EDT with a quote from Liz Halliday.
Ahead of the first horse inspection for the eventing competition at the Paris Olympic Games, the U.S. Equestrian Federation announced a change to the team. Traveling reserve Liz Halliday and Nutcracker are replacing Will Coleman and Diabolo.
This is the second change to the U.S. team after Diabolo replaced Coleman’s first horse, Off The Record on Wednesday.
“The last 48 hours have truly been tough for our team, but particularly for Will Coleman,” said Chef d’Equipe Bobby Costello in USEF’s press release. “Off The Record looked well [in] training camp, but Will’s direct reserve, Diabolo, continued to impress and was physically in such great condition, so we made the decision to place into the team roster before moving to the venue. Diabolo trotted up great prior to shipping from training camp and arrived at the venue happy and sound. Unfortunately, shortly after settling into stabling he showed some significant signs of discomfort, and the team immediately got to work to address a potential abscess in the right front foot. Team Farrier Beck Ratte, Dr. Susan Johns, Diabolo’s groom Hailey Burlock, and Will’s wife, Katie, were so diligent and excellent in treating Diabolo and he did in fact trot up sound last night.
“With that said, we felt after weighing the risk, it was not in Diabolo’s or the team’s best interest for him to move forward with the competition this week,” he continued. ”We’re all just really devastated for Will and his entire team. It takes so much work to get to this moment and it’s just such an unfortunate turn of events. We’ve got to look forward though, and with that said, we’re heading into this competition with four very competitive horses, and l still feel very confident in this team’s ability to be successful here in Paris.”
Coleman posted on Facebook shortly before the jog, saying, “They say timing is everything. With how our last two days have gone here in Paris, that simply could not be more true. It has been a difficult 48 hours for my team and all of Off The Record’s and Diabolo’s connections. I don’t have anything to say other than I wish all of Team USA the very best of luck this weekend. I will be here supporting them all the way through in what will certainly be an incredible competition at the most amazing venue I have ever seen. Go get ‘em guys.”
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Halliday and “Bali,” whose recent accomplishments include finishing eighth in the horse’s five-star debut at the Defender Kentucky CCI5*-L in April and winning the CCI4*-L at Galway Downs (California) last November, will join Boyd Martin on Fedarman B and Caroline Pamukcu on HSH Blake as the three-person team.
“I’m feeling a lot of mixed emotions right now. I’ve been in Will’s shoes before and I know the pain and disappointment that comes with a last-minute change ahead of the biggest moment in your sporting career and life,” Halliday wrote on Instagram. “I’m devastated for their team—they’ve worked so hard and deserve to be here.
“I always knew this was the responsibility of the reserve role, and Bali and I are mentally and physically ready to step in and deliver our best for the team,” she continued. “We’re 100% focused and prepared to head down the centerline and represent our country on Saturday. The USA have an incredible team here in Paris—we are ready to fight hard and give it our all.”
First alternate Sydney Elliott and Diamantaire are now the traveling reserve pair and jogged as part of the first horse inspection. All U.S. horses passed on first presentation.
The Chronicle has a reporter on site at the Paris Olympics. See all of our coverage here.
