Team GB rider Harry Charles has announced on social media that he will not participate in the individual jumping final at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Tuesday after his horse Romeo 88 'suffered a small overreach'.
The 25-year-old rider,who has already clinched gold in Paris in the team jumping event - alongside Ben Maher and Scott Brash - has also struck gold when it comes to love and is dating the daughter of the late Apple founder Steve Jobs,Eve.
The blonde heiress,26,was in the stands watching him compete at the Chateau de Versailles last week and was also expected to be in attendance again on Tuesday.
Both Maher on Point Break and Brash on Jefferson will still compete in the event,but Charles,a bronze medallist at the 2022 World Championships,has ruled himself as a precautionary measure for Romeo 88.
'Unfortunately,me and Romeo will not start the individual final today in Paris,' he posted on his Instagram on Monday.
'After a small overreach yesterday he is not quite the 110 per cent that he has been the whole Games.
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'Maybe I am a little disappointed but,honestly,not really. He has given me so much and took me beyond my dreams. We're leaving Paris with a gold medal and,more importantly,a happy Romeo so that's way more than enough for me.
'Team GB have a great shot at the medals with two of the best today in Scott and Ben so we will be on the sidelines cheering them on.
Team GB Olympic showjumping champion Harry Charles,25,is dating Steve Jobs's model daughter Eve
'Thank you to everyone for all the support you have given me and Romeo throughout the Games and making it an experience of a lifetime.'
Maher and Brash will still compete at the jumping final at 9.00am BST,wiht Maher looking to retain his gold medal title in the individual event having clinched victory in a six-way jump-off in Tokyo 2020.
Charles and Romeo 88 delivered a perfect round during the equestrian team event,while Maher jumped through with one penalty and Brash also delivered a near flawless performance with just one time sanction.
It was a first gold medal for Charles,though,who admitted his delight at his and his team's performance during the event.
'I'm pretty speechless,I need a good few hours to reflect,' Charles said. 'That was probably the best round of my life at the biggest moment in my career so far
'To have me be good and Romeo come through like that on this stage and at this moment – it’s taken a lot to get to this position and I’m really proud of him.'
More to follow...
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