Michael Jung has withdrawn one of his top horses from Rolex Kentucky CCI4*.
FischerTakinou (pictured), with whom he won individual and team gold at the 2015 European Championships, will not travel to the US due to injury.
“Unfortunately, FischerTakinou will not be able to travel to Kentucky,” the German rider said yesterday (11 April).
“On Saturday, he ran smoothly and easily in Kreuth and I was looking forward to a start in Kentucky.
“Yesterday in a routine check, a small injury was found on Taki. So that this does not get any worse, we will not fly him to the Classic.
“I hope he will be back to health soon.”
Kreuth CIC2* (6 April) was FischerTakinou’s final preparation run ahead of Kentucky. After scoring a 33.6 dressage, Michael opted not to run him across country.
The 10-year-old gelding, by Jaguar Mail, has never had a cross-country jumping penalty at international level. His record includes victories at Aachen CIC3* Nations Cup, Strzegom CCI3* and second place at Pau CCI4*.
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However Michael still has last year’s winner FischerRocana FST on the entries list for the US four-star (27-30 April).
Should the combination take the title again, this would put them in contention for a second Rolex Eventing Grand Slam title.
He is also entered for Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (4-7 May) with his seasoned campaigner LaBiosthetique Sam FBW.
Together the combination have won four Olympic gold medals across two Games — London 2012 and Rio 2016 — two individual and two team.
They also have European and World gold medals in their trophy cabinet, along with wins at Badminton 2016, Burghley 2015 and Luhmühlen 2009. Other major results include second place at Badminton 2013 and third at both Kentucky and Luhmühlen in 2015.
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