Danish hot favourite for Paralympic gold, Tobias Thorning Jørgensen, has withdrawn from competing at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, which are starting in two days on 3 September 2024.
His top horse Jolene Hill is not fit to compete.
Jolene Hill is a 16-year old Danish warmblood mare by Schufro Hit out of Java Hill (by Windsor). She is owned by Thomas and Signe Kirk Kirstiansen.
Tobias and Jolene Hill were the 2021 Paralympic gold medal winners in Tokyo and scored gold at the 2022 World Para Championships and at 2023 European Para Championships. They were considered the ones to beat in Grade III at the Paris Paralympics.
The pair had been in training camp in Jablines near Paris, but during transport to the show grounds she developed travel sickness and had to be treated by the veterinarian. An emotional Jørgensen announced his withdrawal from the Games.
""Obviously, I'm super sad and disappointed that I can't compete down here. It's something I have fought a lot for, and that means a lot to me, but my own ambitions and dreams must never, ever outweigh Jolene's woes and well, and that is also why we have chosen to pull her," he stated.
The pair cannot be replaced by the substitute as the deadline (19 August) passed. Denmark will continue with a team of three: Katrine Kristensen, Pia Wulff Jelstrup, and Karla Dyhm Junge.
Related Links
Austrian Paralympic Team Rider Valentina Strobl Withdraws from Paris
Danish Paralympic Team for Paris 2024 Announced