Great Britain's individual representative Michael Whitaker has withdrawn from the Longines FEI European Championships in Gothenburg.

His horse, the 15-year-old gelding Viking (Jacomar x Almox Prints J) did not pass the first veterinary inspection on Monday but was declared fit to compete after the re-inspection on Tuesday morning. As the championship kicked off with the first qualifier on Wednesday morning, the pair was supposed to start as number 57 but never came to start.

Michael commented to World of Showjumping: "I was warming up, and when I started to jump I could feel Viking was not really himself. He is not a soft horse, so if he doesn't feel ok I know there is something wrong – and then there is no point to start."

This means that Great Britain is now left with only one individual rider, William Whitaker.

Text and photo (c) World of Showjumping