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.
"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.