Lucy Wiegersma will miss the Olympics after injury to Shaabrak

Lucy Wiegersma will not ride on the British eventing team at the Olympics in Hong Kong this summer.

Lucy’s mount Shaabrak (pictured finishing second at Badminton this year) has been suffering from a poisoned foot, which has meant he has missed some fitness and preparatory work, although when H&H spoke to Lucy yesterday she was still hopeful he would be able to reach peak fitness in time for the Games.

“It’s bad timing,” said Lucy. “It started about two weeks ago — he had a bit of broken foot one day, then the next he was lame, with a thumping pulse and a hot foot.”

First reserve riders Tina Cook (Miners Frolic) and Daisy Dick (Spring Along) have been selected to replace Lucy and Zara Phillips, who had to withdraw three weeks ago after an injury to Toytown.

Will Connell, British equestrian team leader commented: “I am of course extremely disappointed for Lucy, who has worked so hard over many years to win her place in the team; however, in Tina and Daisy we have two experienced campaigners who both have horses that should be able to turn in some excellent performances at the Games. The team remains strong, capable and focused on winning medals in Hong Kong.”

Pippa Roome

H&H magazine editor and eventing editor

Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.