Rodrigo Pessoa announced on Friday, Aug. 25, that he has withdrawn from the World Equestrian Games due to an injury to Baloubet du Rouet. Pessoa reached the decision in consultation the Brazilian show jumping team veterinarian, Dr. Thomaz Montello, and his own veterinarian, Dr. Marc Suls.

“Unfortunately, I would be risking the physical integrity of Baloubet if I tried to enter him into the competition. The World Championship is very tough–five days of very difficult rounds–and would be risking the end of Baloubet\’s career. For everything he has done for the equestrian sport and for me, and based on the opinion of the veterinarians, I was obliged to leave the Brazilian Team in WEG. I am very sad but sure that it was the correct decision,” Pessoa said on his website.

Due to the proximity of the decision to the start of show jumping at the WEG on Aug. 28, Pessoa declined to ride another horse on the Brazilian team. The Brazilian team will now consist of Bernardo Alves on Canturo, Alvato Afonso de Miranda Neto on Nike and Cassio Rivetti on Olona, with the fourth member being announced by the Brazilian team officials at a later date.