One of the best horses in the world will miss out on the Olympic Games in Rio: Hello Sanctos will be unable to be selected to compete due to a minor injury. In a statement on their website, British Showjumping announce that they "greatly regret that showjumper Scott Brash is unable to be selected to compete at the Rio 2016 Olympics."

Unfortunately for Scott Brash, not only Hello Sanctos picked up an injury at the start of the season – also his other Olympic hopeful Hello M'Lady has been out of action and as both horses are still not back into full competition work they will be unable to reach full fitness in time for Rio.

In the statement on British Showjumping's website, Scott Brash, as well as owners Lord and Lady Harris and Lord and Lady Kirkham have commented; "We are extremely disappointed that we are unable to help Team GB in their quest to win another team gold medal at this year’s Olympics. We would like to take this opportunity to wish all of Team GB every success in Rio."

Hello Sanctos was considered one of the favorites for a medal in Rio. Together with Brash, the 14-year-old gelding became historical last year when he won the Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping taking three consecutive Rolex Grand Prix wins in Geneva, Aachen and at Spruce Meadows. Hello Sanctos was also on the gold medal winning British team at the 2012 Olympic Games in Rio and at the 2013 European Championships in Herning.

Earlier this year, Hello Sanctos' owners announced that the 2016 Olympic Games was to be the gelding's last championship appearance for Great Britain. 

Source: British Showjumping // Text © World of Showjumping // Picture © Jenny Abrahamsson