Australian rider Rowan Willis has announced on his social media that he is withdrawing as a reserve for the Games. He does not want to put his horse Blue Movie (by Chacco-Blue) through a very demanding travel schedule to Tokyo if "the chances are slim that she will actually be allowed to jump", according to the Australian.
"It is with great sadness that I have made the difficult decision to withdraw as a reserve athlete from the Australian Olympic Showspring Team. I have carefully weighed the options and feel it is in the best interests of my horse Carrots not to embark on such a demanding international travel schedule when the EA has made it clear that there is no tactical plan to start her," the post said on his social media.