Spanish Olympic team rider Beatriz Ferrer-Salat has made the decision to withdraw her top horse Delgado from the 2012 Olympic Games. The chestnut Westfalian (by De Niro x Weltmeyer) is not fit to compete.
Delgado is one of the world's best dressage horse with 80% scoring potential, but the gelding has been plagued by injuries over the years. In 2010 the gelding missed out on the 2010 World Equestrian Games because of a severe tendon injury, on which he was operated. He made a slow but difficult come back in 2011 but did not show at the 2011 European Championships.
In 2012, Ferrer-Salat returned with a finally fit Delgado to the show ring and competed him at the CDI Toledo, CDI Fritzens and CDI Compiegne. They also participated in the first two rounds at the CDIO Aachen but retired from the freestyle due to a swollen leg.
The 12-year old Delgado was at training camp with Ton de Ridder on the Belgian-German border. According to coach De Ridder, "a hoof injury" prevents Delgado from competing at the Games.
Photo © Astrid Appels
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