We have heartbreaking news from the USEF team training camp in Ocala, Florida. In consultation with the US team vets, Jon Holling has decided to withdraw Downtown Harrison from the US squad. The US team performed their final vet evaluation before shipping the horses out for the Pan American Games this morning and Downtown Harrison was slightly off. I spoke with Jon who said that as of right now it looks like just a minor setback with really poor timing. Jon said that as much as he wanted to ride on the team he couldn’t justify risking further injury to Downtown Harrison or holding the US team back at the Pan Ams. I can’t begin to describe how sorry and frustrated I am for Jon, Downtown Harrison, and their family and supporters.
Lynn Symansky and Donner will replace Jon and Downtown Harrison on the team. Word from the camp all week has been that both Downtown Harrison and Donner were looking great, so I do not feel like this is a huge step back for Team USA and Jon echoed that sentiment. Today is just yet another reminder of the heartbreaks in eventing.
Jon is a complete class act and even with this morning’s incredible frustration he remained positive and really optimistic about the US team and Downtown Harrison’s future. He told me “I want to give a big thanks to everyone who has gotten me this far and I’m just really sorry it didn’t work out.” Jon made it clear that he is really excited about the prospects of the team and he was completely supportive of Lynn and Donner, saying that he thinks they will be a great addition to the squad in Guadalajara.
The new US squad:
Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot
Buck Davidson and Absolute Liberty
Shannon Lilley and Ballingowan Pizzaz
Michael Pollard and Schoensgreen Hanni
Lynn Symansky and Donner
Go Downtown Harrison and Donner.
