AUSTRALIAN show jumpers Edwina Tops-Alexander and Katie Laurie will compete as individuals at the Tokyo Olympic Games after their teammate, Jamie Kermond, was ruled out of the Games after testing positive for a metabolic of cocaine.

Equestrian Australia announced on Wednesday, just days before the horses were due to fly to Tokyo, that a test conducted by Sport Integrity Australia on June 26th 2021 returned a positive A-sample for a metabolite of cocaine from Kermond, and he was placed under provisional suspension.

That left the Australian team with only two riders as the alternate, Rowan Willis, had decided not to travel to the Games with Blue Movie. Therefore he was not in quarantine and could not make up the team.

After two days of uncertainty, it was then confirmed that Tops-Alexander and Laurie would travel to the Games as individuals. Tokyo will mark a milestone fourth Olympics for Tops-Alexander, making her the first Australian jumping athlete to ride at four Games.

“I’m very happy about the outcome for myself and Katie Laurie to be able compete as individuals in Tokyo. I’m proud and I look forward to representing Australia. I will absolutely give it my utmost best,” said Tops-Alexander, who rides Identity Vitseroel at the Games and will be in with a chance at winning an individual medal.

Olympic debutante Katie, who will ride Casebrooke Lomond, commented: “Words cannot describe the feeling of hearing that Edwina and I could both go as individuals. It’s been a rollercoaster but we are ready and so excited to get to Tokyo.”

A statement from Equestrian Australia said: “We are thrilled with the outcome for our remaining two jumping athletes, who have been anxiously awaiting confirmation regarding their participation at the Games. Edwina and Katie have both worked extremely hard to earn their place on the Australian team and we are delighted they will get the opportunity to realise their Olympic aspirations in arena at Tokyo.”

The first show jumping competition in Tokyo begins on Tuesday, August 3rd.

Kittel out

There was heartbreak for the Swedish dressage team on Thursday when their leading light and medal hope Patrik Kittel was ruled out due to a small injury to his horse Well Done De La Roche CMF.

In a statement on Thursday, the three-time Olympian said: “Well Done tripped in yesterday’s training. A small injury prevents us from competing in the Tokyo Olympics. I am broken to the core but Welly will always come first. I will now support my students and team friends, in the honour of representing Sweden.”

The 13-year-old had plenty of experience under her belt with a bronze medal at the 2109 European Championships and fifth individually at the 2018 World Equestrian Games.

The travelling reserve, Antonia Ramel will come into the team with Brother De Jeu. She joins her sister Juliette Ramel (Buriel KH) and Therese Nilshagen (Dante Weltino).

Seymour ruled out

South Africa’s individual dressage rider Tanya Seymour was also ruled out during the week when her 19-year-old gelding Ramoneur 6 was sadly diagnosed with laminitis. The gelding, who also competed at Rio in 2016, was due to be retired after the Games.

In a statement released by Team South Africa on Wednesday, Seymour said: “When he arrived he was doing so well. During training he was looking fresh and feeling great. He had travelled well. When I got on him yesterday, I could sense there was something amiss. He was holding in his front feet a bit and it felt a little odd. The vet and farrier had a look at him and initially we thought it might be a stone bruise, that he had a painful front hoof after standing on a stone.

“But by this morning his condition had worsened and he was sent for X-rays and subsequently he was diagnosed with laminitis. The vets can’t say what brought it on, so it’s something of a mystery. Needless to say, the news is devastating.

“I was so excited to be in Tokyo with him and to represent Team South Africa at the Games here. The one saving grace is that we reacted quickly and he has received treatment quickly. But, for a longer-term prognosis we will have to wait a day or two.”