Belgium's Jérôme Guéry has decided to withdraw the 10-year-old stallion Grupo Prom Milton (Mylord Carthago *HN x Sandro Boy) from participation at the Longines FEI European Championships 2021, which will take place at Riesenbeck International in Germany next week. According to the Belgian Equestrian Federation, the decision has been made by Guéry and Grupo Prom Milton’s owner, who have found that given the stallion’s young age and his limited milage at this level it would not be appropriate to compete him in a multi-day championship at this stage. 

“This decision, which was taken in consultation with team manager Peter Weinberg, was obviously very difficult to make, but the welfare of the horse must come first,” reads a statement from the Belgian Equestrian Federation. 

Following Guéry’s withdrawal, the Belgian team will now consist of:

• Pieter Devos and Jade vd Bisschop (Ogano Sitte x Grannus)
• Nicola Philippaerts and Katanga V/H Dingeshof (Cardento 933 x Tornedo FCS)
• Olivier Philippaerts and Le Blue Diamond v’t Ruytershof (Plot Blue x Diamant de Semilly)
• Jos Verlooy and Varoune (Verdi TN x Cordalmé Z)

The reserve combination is Wilm Vermeir and Iq van het Steentje (Toulon x Kannan).

At the Longines FEI European Championships 2021, Belgium will be defending their team gold medal from Rotterdam in 2019.