The U.S. Equestrian Federation has made a substitution to the U.S. Olympic Eventing Team traveling reserve. Maya Black has withdrawn Dawn and Jonathan Dofelmier’s Doesn’t Play Fair due to veterinary concerns. 

“It is with a heavy heart that I am withdrawing Cody from his position as traveling reserve for the U.S. Olympic team,” Black wrote in a Facebook post. “Unfortunately, he has sustained an acute minor injury. Being named as the traveling reserve has been the greatest achievement and honor of my career to date, and I couldn’t have asked for a more special partner then Cody to share this journey with for the past five years.

“I hope to one day be back in a position for team consideration again, and in the meantime he will get some much deserved rest after a stellar spring season. I want to thank so many people and horses for getting me to this place. To even be considered for the Olympics is a dream come true—I’m so incredibly grateful. Thank you to the Dofelmier’s for bringing him into my life, to all our family, friends, coaches, sponsors, supporters, and many fans for helping us to make it this far. And last but definitely not least, thanks to Caitlin for putting up with Cody and I over the last few years through the thick and thin. I love Cody so much—this amazingly talented munchkin horse will be back to fight again another day.”

The following combination will now serve as the traveling reserve:

Lynn Symansky (Middleburg, Va.) and The Donner Syndicate LLC’s Donner, a 13-year-old Thoroughbred gelding

Further information regarding the U.S. Olympic Eventing Team selection process can be found on USEF.org. All nominations to the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team are subject to approval by the U.S. Olympic Committee.