Hell for Ellen as Olympic chiefs end Beijing showjumping dream - Sport - Evening Standard
       

Hell for Ellen as Olympic chiefs end Beijing showjumping dream

Ellen Whitaker's Olympic dream has been shattered after the 22-year-old showjumper was left out of Britain's squad for Beijing.

Her father Steven said: 'I am gutted. Ellen wasn't selected because her horse Locarno went lame while she was doing her Olympic trial in Rotterdam.

Unlucky: Ellen Whitaker will miss this year's Olympics

Unlucky: Ellen Whitaker will miss this year's Olympics

'But he is sound now and will be competing at Hickstead this weekend. She could have been given another chance to prove Locarno was sound again.'

Ellen was a member of the team that won a bronze medal in the European Championships last year. Britain's team in Beijing are Ellen's uncles John and Michael Whitaker, Ben Maher and Tim Stockdale while Nick Skelton is the reserve.

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