Austrian Olympic individual rider Victoria Max-Theurer will be taking her least experienced Grand Prix horse, Della Cavalleria, to Rio. her number one Blind Date suffers from colic symptoms.
Max-Theurer can rely on her 13-year old Oldenburg mare Della Cavalleria as her 2016 Olympic ride.
The duo made its international Grand Prix debut this year at the 2016 CDI Stadl Paura in April, where they placed second twice with 71.420% and 72.275%. They also showed in Munich, Achleiten and Cappeln.
"We decided for Della Cavalleria because Blind Date has problems with a switch of feed. In South America is not allowed to import European horse feed, and we have experienced returning colic symptoms with her" Max-Theurer explained. "That is also why our planned start in Cappeln was cancelled. It is only fair to the horse, despite her great athletic qualities, to withdraw her from a start in Rio. We made this decision in mutual agreement with my team and veterinarians. The risk is too great."
Blind Date is a 14-year old Hanoverian mare by Breitling x Donnerhall and was Max-Theurer's ride at the 2015 European Championships in Aachen, where they finished 21st in the Grand Prix Special.
"It is a pity but for me and Beate (Blind Date) there is a life after Rio," said Victoria.
Photo © Astrid Appels
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