The French eventing squad suffered a heavy blow Aug. 7 with the news that Jean Teulere’s star performer Espoir de la Mare has been withdrawn from the 2008 Olympic Games on veterinary advice.

The 16-year old gelding aggravated an old ligament injury some weeks ago but subsequently made a good recovery and joined the remainder of the team on the trip to Hong Kong.

However, the leg flared up again after a gallop last weekend, and French Chef d’Equipe Thierry Touzaint confirmed that the horse will not compete.

He insisted, however, that the injury is not career-threatening and that the horse should be back in action with his 54-year old rider within the foreseeable future