British rider Harry Charles has announced on social media that he will not compete in the individual show jumping final at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris after his horse Romeo 88 suffered a ‘slight hyperextension’.
The 25-year-old rider, who previously won gold in team jumping in Paris together with Ben Maher and Scott Brash, was in the running to compete in the individual equestrian final on Tuesday.
Both Maher on Point Break and Brash on Jefferson will still compete in the event, but Charles, a bronze medalist at the 2022 world championships, said while he was “a little disappointed” he was mostly happy to leave Paris with a gold medal.
“Unfortunately, Romeo and I will not be able to start the individual final in Paris today,” he posted on his Instagram on Monday.
‘After a slight overshoot yesterday, he is no longer quite the 110 percent he was throughout the Games.
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“Maybe I’m a little disappointed, but honestly not really. He gave me so much and took me further than I could ever have imagined. We leave Paris with a gold medal and, most importantly, a happy Romeo, so that’s more than enough for me.
‘Team GB have a great chance of winning the medals with two of the best today, Scott and Ben, so we’ll be on the sidelines cheering them on.
‘Thank you to everyone for all the support you gave Romeo and me during the Games. You made it an unforgettable experience.’
Maher and Brash will also compete in the show jumping final at 9am (BST), with Maher hoping to retain his individual gold medal title after taking victory in a six-rider jump-off at Tokyo 2020.
Charles and Romeo 88 produced a perfect round in the equestrian team event, while Maher crossed the finish line with just one fault and Brash also produced a near-faultless performance with just one fault.
However, it was the first gold medal for Charles, who admitted he was pleased with his own and his team’s performance in the event.
“I’m pretty speechless, I need a couple of hours to think,” Charles said. “That was probably the best lap of my life at the biggest moment of my career so far.
“That I am so good and Romeo has performed so well on this stage and at this moment – it has taken a lot to get to this position and I am really proud of him.”
More to follow…