GENEVA -- Switzerland's dressage team will not take part in
the Beijing Olympics.
The move follows the withdrawal of the team's top rider, Silvia
Ikle, who doesn't want to expose her horse to travel-related stress
and the humid conditions in Hong Kong in the summer.
"Ikle's decision not to participate has consequences for the
entire national dressage team," the Swiss equestrian federation
said Tuesday in a statement.
Switzerland said it had only qualified for the event due to the
performance of Ikle and her horse, Salieri.
"The dressage selection committee of the federation has
therefore decided not to send any individuals or teams to take part
in the dressage competition in Hong Kong," the statement said.
Hong Kong, which has a well-established racing circuit, was
picked to host the equestrian events at the games after an outbreak
of equine diseases and substandard quarantine procedures in
mainland China.