Equestrian: Reserve horse out of Games running

New Zealand's Olympic Games eventers have suffered another blow, with the back-up horse of Vaughn Jefferis ruled out.

Curious George was on the reserve list for the six-rider eventing squad and was the frontrunner to replace Dan Jocelyn's injured Silence, which may not regain fitness by September.

Jocelyn will decide this week whether he will withdraw Silence from the squad.

Jefferis, the 1994 world champion on his Olympic horse Bounce, advised the New Zealand Equestrian Federation that Curious George was not available.

Jefferis' groom, Jo Osborne, said the young horse had not been coping well with his work and it was decided not to push him.

She said the extra step up in workload to Olympic level had placed too much pressure on Curious George, which was second at the Taupo horse trials in May.

However, Osborne said the veteran Bounce was "gorgeous" and feeling very good in his work.

Jefferis last month criticised the national selectors for not naming Curious George in New Zealand's original line-up.

- NZPA