Great Britain’s Izzy Taylor has withdrawn Allercombe Ellie from the British Olympic eventing team after the mare incurred a minor injury during training.

They will be replaced by traveling alternates Pippa Funnell and Billy The Biz.

Kristina Cook and Billy The Red will now be the traveling alternates.

Taylor was set to make her Olympic debut with Susan Holroyd and Frances Carter’s 13-year-old British Sport Horse mare (Jumbo-My Last Edition, Poetic Justice).

“I’m really gutted and sorry for the owners and my support team. I wish Pip and all the team the best of luck out in Rio,” she said.

“We are extremely disappointed for Izzy and her whole support team, including the horse’s owners Susan and Frances,” British Equestrian team leader Dan Hughes said. “Whilst Rio was going to be Izzy’s first Olympics, as one of the most talented British riders in the world, I am confident that it will not be her last opportunity to represent Great Britain on the world stage. In Pippa Funnell we have an extremely strong replacement, and we are confident this team has every chance of achieving medal success in Rio.”

Funnell, a two-time Olympian, recently won the Ballindenisk CCI*** (Ireland) with the late Carol Toliver’s 11-year-old Anglo-European gelding (Cevan Z-Little Miss Prim, Coevers).

“Firstly I’m absolutely devastated for Izzy, I know how much work it takes for everyone involved to get the horse to this level,” said Funnell. “From a personal point of view, I just feel so very privileged and honoured to be part of the team, and I’m just delighted for all my connections who have helped me to get to this stage. It’s our first home-bred horse to be going to a Games, and whilst that’s so special for us all, it’s so tragic that Carol isn’t with us to share this moment as I know she would have been so very proud. We’ll be going there to give it our absolute all.”