Lost shoe sees Hester forced to withdraw Uthopia

The dark bay stallion, owned by Hester and Sasha Stewart, lost a shoe in the field on Friday and farrier Hayden Price advised that he would not be fit enough to travel or compete at what will be the final trials for Olympic selection.

“It’s obviously disappointing but it isn’t anything major,” said Hester.

“Another 48 hours and it might have been different but it’s not a risk worth taking.

“I’ll now work with the selectors to re-jig his competition schedule but I may look at taking him to the Addington premier show next week.

“We’ll see how well he responds to poulticing and then when Hayden puts the shoe back on we’ll make a further decision from there.”

The other members of the British contingent in Hagen will be Charlotte Dujardin with Valegro, Laura Bechtolsheimer with Mistral Hojris and Andretti H, Emile Faurie and Elmgardens Marquis, Henriette Andersen and Louis D’Or and Judi Harvey with Fitzcerraldo.

The competition begins on Friday.