Top Irish show-jumper and current world number two, Jessica Kurten has decided to make herself unavailable for the 2008 Olympics.
Ireland have been allocated one show-jumping place at the Olympics on the basis of Kurten's FEI ranking but she has opted against taking up that place herself.
The Antrim born rider claims that she made the decision in conjunction with her horse owner Lady Georgina Forbes, citing the stress and hardship the horse would endure on the long journey to Hong Kong.
'To compete at the Olympics is a dream for every rider and I wish the horse-and-rider combination who flies the Irish tri-colour in Hong Kong the very best of luck,' Kurten said.
Horse Sport Ireland have called a press conference for next Tuesday to announce a replacement horse-and-rider combination, with Denis Lynch now the favourite to take her place.
Team Manager Robert Splaine said: 'Obviously it is a pity that Jessica will not be available for the Olympics. As world number two she would have been one of the favourites for the games.
'However, her performances over the last year have secured us a place in the Olympics and I am now focusing on selecting a horse and rider to fill that place.'
