Don John, the reserve horse for the U.S. Dressage Team at this year's Olympic Games in Tokyo, will not be competing. The 13-year-old gelding will be ridden by Nick Wagman.
"After his safe arrival at the Tokyo venue, Don John sustained a minor injury," said a press release from the U.S. Equestrian Federation. "He continued to show improvement, but after further evaluation with the team veterinarian, it was decided to withdraw him for the start of the competition as an extraordinary precaution, and while it is believed that he would have passed horse inspection had he been presented, the team felt that he should not be eligible to compete to ensure that he has the proper time to fully heal. The team will present the three selected team combinations of Adrienne Lyle and Salvino, Steffen Peters and Suppenkasper, and Sabine Schut-Kery and Sanceo."
Don John is a Dutch Warmblood owned by Beverly Gepfer. With the gelding, Wagman finished fourth in both tests at the U.S. Dressage Olympic Shortlist Mandatory Event (Fla.) in June.
