Stuart Black, the Canadian Eventing Team traveling alternate, was arrested earlier this week in Mono, Ontario, and has subsequently withdrawn himself and his horse, Tre’ Du Kernat, from the team.
CaledonEnterprise.com reports that Black was charged with assault and quotes Black as saying he stepped down for “medical reasons.”
“There is no misconduct on my part,” Black told the Caledon Enterprise. “Something has been done against me, and I just have to keep everything in line, and everything will be proven in court.”
Black, 55, was granted bail in Orangeville, Ontario, on July 9. He is expected to appear back in court on Aug. 27.
The Ontario Provincial Police stated that they don’t comment on domestic violence cases and were unable to comment on the case because of a publication ban, but they did confirm that Black was charged with committing assault. Black did not immediately respond for comment.
In a statement from Equine Canada, high performance director Amie O’Shaughnessy confirmed that Black withdrew.
“Stuart Black has voluntarily withdrawn from the Canadian Eventing Team for the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games and Equine Canada is following protocol to name his replacement as the team alternate. A statement will be issued naming the alternate once confirmed by all required parties. The alternate will join a strong team that has been training hard and is ready to represent Canada proudly during the Eventing portion of the Games,” she stated in the release.
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Horse-Canada is reporting that Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High will replace Black, but that has not been confirmed. O’Hanlon told the Chronicle that she is not yet able to comment at this time, but she did participate with the team at the jumper show at Angelwood Farm in Rockville, Ontario, on July 9.
Updated July 12, 2015
Equine Canada has confirmed that Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High will be the eventing team’s alternate.
“O’Hanlon will replace previously named reserve, Stuart Black of Weatherford, Texas. Black’s horse, Tre’ du Kernat, owned by Orin Tre’ Book was fit and prepared for the Games, however Black voluntarily withdrew from the Canadian Eventing Team, citing personal medical reasons,” the press release said.
Updated July 1, 2016
Charges against Black were withdrawn on Oct. 29, 2015.
