BADGERSTOWN’S Tom McEwen saw his European Eventing Championships cut short before they had even begun.
His horse Diesel was eliminated at the first trot up at Malmo on Wednesday, prior to the dressage getting under way on Thursday.
Diesel was sent to the holding box after trotting up and upon further inspection the ground jury were unhappy with the horse.
Chef d’Equipe Yogi Breisner later revealed that Diesel had become sore in his back during the journey to Sweden, which had caused him to stiffen up slightly.
Diesel was the only horse not accepted at the first trot up and the decision effectively means the pair will take no further part in the competition.
No doubt this will be a devastating blow for McEwen, who made his senior team debut in Aachen earlier this year.
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