In an eleventh hour decision by the German show jumping team, it was decided that Marcus Ehning would not ride in the Rio Olympics aboard Coronado NRW for Germany.
The press release was not specific as to what veterinary issue prevented Coronado from competing.
“After consultation with our team veterinarian, Jan Hein Swagemakers, we have decided that the risk of use of Coronado NRW is too big,” German coach Otto Becker announced in statement on the German Equestrian Federation’s website.
Marcus and Coronado were not among those held or re-inspected at the trot-up on Friday morning.
Fortunately for Team Germany, they have Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, ranked 17th in the world, waiting anxiously in the wings with her top mount, Fibonacci. The pair will jump second for Germany.
2:45 p.m. ET UPDATE: Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Fibonacci jumped clear in the first round qualifiers for Germany to put the team in a first place tie with Brazil for round two. The placings in round one were critical in deciding jumping order for the future rounds.
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