Otis Barbotiere, Boyd Martin’s mount for the 2012 Olympic Games in London, was diagnosed with a small lesion on the joint capsule of his ankle after being withdrawn during the final horse inspection at the Games.

Otis, a 10-year-old Selle Francais (Quidam de Revel—Java Barbotiere, Veneur de Baugy) gelding owned by the Otis Barbotiere Syndicate, galloped around the four-star cross-country course in Greenwich Park just a few seconds outside the time but then came up lame.

“I was looking like I was going to make the time until about the last minute on course where Otis really hit the wall. I think basically he was starting to feel the pain running up his leg,” Martin said. “He showed tremendous heart to finish the course.”

Martin, 32, withdrew the gelding during the following morning’s horse inspection.

“My feeling is that he probably twisted his leg on the course,” said Martin, of Cochranville, Pa. “I might have made the mistake of having a little too large of studs because I was worried about slipping.”

Veterinarian Kevin Keane spent two days examining Otis upon the horse’s arrival home to ensure an accurate diagnosis.

“He’s still a little bit unsound trotting up in a straight line, but he looks very comfortable in the field,” Martin said. “He’s walking around and eating grass.”

In April, Otis placed third at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI****, and Martin said he plans to give the gelding time off before aiming for some advanced events next year.

“Before he got injured, I had a plan of really giving him the rest of the year quite easy,” said Martin. “It’s quite an intense lead up: the training and the change of country, the pressure of trying to make the team and competing at the Olympics. I think all the horses that traveled are just hanging out and enjoying the sun and grass in Pennsylvania.”