N.B. rider pulled from Olympic dressage competition
Fitness issues identified with Jill Irving's horse Delacroix
New Brunswick equestrian Jill Irving and her horse Delacroix have been pulled from the Olympic dressage competition, the Canadian Olympic Committee announced Friday.
The COC said it was determined near the end of the pre-Games training camp that Delacroix would not be fit to compete and the decision was made in the best interest of the horse to withdraw him from competition.
"He just didn't feel himself and the team decided not to risk his health," Irving said. "We're really about horse welfare and horses first. So, the group decision was he cannot go and compete in the way he feels."
She said that she'll know more about Delacroix early next week after diagnostics are done at a clinic.
Irving, of Moncton, was the oldest Canadian Olympian at 61, and will now serve as travelling alternate in Paris with another horse, Genesis.
She is heartbroken that she won't be able to compete with Delacroix.
"It's sad. It's kind of heartbreaking, but we all have these things happen to us in life and the most important thing is to be resilient and right now it's about Team Canada," said Irving.
Chris Von Martels and his horse Eclips will replace Irving and Delacroix.
Irving also feels bad for New Brunswickers and everyone else who was cheering her on.
"I mean, I was on the poster. You just don't want to be a disappointment, and there's a moment when I feel like that."
To add to Irving's misfortune, she is currently in a hotel room outside Versailles with COVID-19. She had to miss the opening ceremonies, but will be allowed to be in the stables to support her team.
She said the news of place on the team is also hard on her teammates, whom she is now focused on supporting.
"It just makes you a little bit more sad when you see other people sad for you. We're all sad. But tomorrow morning we have to show up at the stable and cheer on our teammates."
As an alternate, Irving will be riding Genesis, a horse she's had for a year and a half. She has competed with him before.
"He's lovely, he's very solid. He's small, not as powerful as Delacroix and didn't garner the scores that Delacroix and I garnered overall, but he's awesome. I haven't had him as long, but you know, he's very reliable," said Irving on the abilities of Genesis, who arrived in Paris today with the other Canadian horses.
Dressage events get underway on Saturday at Chateau de Versailles.
Irving started riding five decades ago in Sudbury, Ont., but this was to be her first appearance in Olympic competition.
Despite being pulled, she would like another appearance in Olympic competition.
"I feel good to try for L.A. What the heck? Four years goes by fast," said Irving.
The next summer Olympics are in Los Angeles in 2028.
The COC also announced that due to personal reasons, Christine Peters has been replaced by Olympian Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu as the dressage team's chef d'equipe and manager, supporting Canadain riders on the ground.`
With files from Shift