Disheartening News for Olympic Eventer as Horse Deemed Unfit Ahead of Tokyo Olympics 2020 Equestrian Championship

The equestrian games at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 have been unbelievable, so far. Germany, United States and Great Britain dominated the dressage field, but it’s time to come to eventing. With the horse inspection over, Poland suffered the most damage as their rider bows out.

Horse deemed unfit for competition for Tokyo Olympics 2020

Polish eventer Pawel Spisak’s journey in Tokyo ends before he even stepped onto the field. During the horse inspection, the ground jury deemed his horse Banderas unfit for the actual competition. This destroyed Poland’s hopes for a medal at equestrian as their tally stands at only one silver.

This was disheartening news for the Polish eventer, especially since this would have been his fourth Olympics. Even in Rio 2016 Banderas did not qualify after failing the second horse inspection. Despite the disappointment, Spisak’s Olympic career features minor success. He has never finished in the top 20 in the final standings.

However, missing out on the Olympics for the second time consecutively must hurt for Spisak. As for the 14-year-old gelding, he loses a chance to shine at the biggest stage for Olympic eventing. Relacing them is Jan Kaminski and his horse, Jard.

Also representing the Polish flag at the eventing championships are Malgorzata Cybulska on Chenaro 2 and Joanna Pawlak on Fantastic Frieda. They will compete alongside Kaminski in the team eventing championship and individual championships.

Overall horse inspection results

The horse inspections at the Olympics can make or break for an athlete’s run at the Games. It is the harshest way to exit the Olympics, especially since the athlete hasn’t actually performed. For Pawel Spisak, this must’ve been a devastating situation, but the rest of the eventers got through easily.

US eventing team comprising Phillip Dutton, Boyd Martin and Doug Payne got through easily. Tsetersleg, Z and Vandiver had no issues for the judges to rule them out, but the same cannot be said for Canada’s Jessica Phoenix. Before the horse inspection, she withdrew from the Tokyo Olympics 2020 after her horse, Pavarotti suffered a minor injury.

Lauren Billys from Puerto Rico almost suffered the same fate as Pawel Spisak, but fortune favored her. The judges sent her horse Castle Larchfield Purdy back to the holding box for the trot to take place again. Fortunately, she passed the second time around.

Read more: ?Winning A Gold is Never Boring?- 14-Time Dressage Champions Germany Respond to Ridiculous Question By Reporter at Tokyo Olympics 2020