Phillip Dutton and Mighty Nice. Photo by Jenni Autry.
The USEF just announced that Phillip Dutton has withdrawn Fernhill Cubalawn from the 2016 Olympic Games due to a minor injury sustained in training. Phillip will now ride HND Group’s Mighty Nice on the U.S. team. Both Mighty Nice and Fernhill Fugitive, owned by Tom Tierney and Annie Jones, were named as direct reserve horses for Phillip.
Phillip posted the following statement on his Facebook page:
“I’m disappointed to announce that I’ve withdrawn Fernhill Cubalawn from the Olympic Games after he strained a tendon yesterday in his final gallop before shipping to Ocala for U.S. team training camp. I am sorry for his owners, Tom Tierney, Simon Roosevelt and Caroline Moran, and our team, especially Emma Ford, as they have all worked so hard to get Cuba to Rio.
“We are very lucky to have a top reserve horse in HND Group’s Mighty Nice to step in and take Cuba’s place on the U.S. team. Thank you to my sponsors, owners, family and team for supporting us on this journey to the Olympics. Happy is in top form and ready to make Team USA proud.”
The U.S. Olympic team is now Phillip Dutton and Mighty Nice, Lauren Kieffer and Veronica, Boyd Martin and Blackfoot Mystery, and Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen.
Further information regarding the U.S. Olympic Eventing Team selection process can be found on USEF.org. All nominations to the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team are subject to approval by the United States Olympic Committee.
