Team GB jockey Harry Charles has announced on social media that he will not be competing in the individual show jumping final at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Tuesday after his horse Romeo 88 “suffered a little overexertion”.
The 25-year-old, who previously won gold in Paris in the team show jumping event alongside Ben Maher and Scott Brash, has also struck gold in love and is dating the daughter of the late Apple founder Steve Jobs, Eve.
The blonde heiress, 26, was in the stands watching him compete at the Château de Versailles last week and was also expected to be in attendance again on Tuesday.
Both Maher on Point Break and Brash on Jefferson will continue to compete in the event, but Charles, a bronze medalist at the 2022 World Championships, has qualified as a precaution for Romeo 88.
“Unfortunately, Romeo and I will not be able to compete in the individual final today in Paris,” she posted on her Instagram on Monday.
‘After a little overshoot yesterday, he is not at 110 percent as he was throughout the Games.
‘Maybe I’m a little disappointed, but honestly not that much. He’s given me so much and taken me beyond my dreams. We’re leaving Paris with a gold medal and, most importantly, a happy Romeo, so that’s more than enough for me.
‘Team GB have a great chance of medalling with two of the best today, Scott and Ben, so we’ll be on the sidelines cheering them on.
‘Thank you all for all the support you have given me and Romeo during the Games and for making it a once in a lifetime experience.’
Maher and Brash will still compete in the vault final at 9:00am BST, with Maher looking to retain her gold medal title in the individual event having claimed victory in a six-way jump-off at Tokyo 2020.
Charles and Romeo 88 put in a perfect round during the team equestrian event, while Maher passed with a penalty and Brash also put in a near-flawless performance with only a time penalty.
However, it was Charles’ first gold medal and he admitted his delight at his and his team’s performance during the event.
“I was speechless, I need a few hours to reflect,” Charles said. “That was probably the best round of my life at the most important moment of my career so far.”
“That I have been good and that Romeo has given his best on this stage and at this moment… it has cost me a lot to get to this position and I am very proud of him.”
But to continue…