Scott Brash withdraws from WEG

World number one showjumper Scott Brash will not be jumping again at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, having made the decision to withdraw.

Too much ground

Scott lay in 36th place overnight after the first two days of jumping. With 8.10 faults to carry forward to the rest of the competition, it was felt that the rider and his Olympic horse Hello Sanctos would be unlikely to catch the leaders.

A statement from the British Equestrian Federation confirmed today that the decision had been taken in consultation with Scott, the horse’s owners Lord and Lady Harris and Lady Kirkham, Rob Hoekstra and Will Connell.

“There is a lot of jumping still to do in the individual qualifying competition; a lot of ground to make up in the leaderboard and the likelihood of qualifying for the Individual final, with the standard of jumping here this week is not likely,” read the official statement.

The pair will instead be diverting their attentions to the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Final in Barcelona in October.

No Brits

Scott had been the final British hope in the showjumping competition, after the British team had been knocked out yesterday (3 September). Only the top 50 riders in the individual placings were allowed to continue unless they were part of a qualfied team.

The top 10 countries from yesterday’s round will jump again this afternoon to decide the team medals. A final individual qualfying round will be held on Saturday before the final four compete for the medals on Sunday afternoon.

The individual final at WEG is somewhat unusual as it sees the top four riders ride four rounds, one on their own horse and then one on each of their rivals’ horses.