Team GB rider Harry Charles has announced on social media that he will not participate in the individual jumping final at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Tuesday after his horse Romeo 88 ‘suffered a small overreach’.
The 25-year-old rider, who has already clinched gold in Paris in the team jumping event – alongside Ben Maher and Scott Brash – has also struck gold when it comes to 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 Chateau 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 still compete in the event, but Charles, a bronze medallist at the 2022 World Championships, has ruled himself as a precautionary measure for Romeo 88.
‘Unfortunately, me and Romeo will not start the individual final today in Paris,’ he posted on his Instagram on Monday.
‘After a small overreach yesterday he is not quite the 110 per cent that he has been the whole Games.
Harry Charles (pictured) has announced that he will not be competing in Tuesday’s individual equestrian event
Charles announced the news on Instagram, stating that Romeo 88, his horse, was not ‘quite the 110 per cent he has been during the games’
The 25-year-old had previously claimed gold on board Romeo 88 in the men’s team jumps event
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‘Maybe I am a little disappointed but, honestly, not really. He has given me so much and took me beyond my dreams. We’re leaving Paris with a gold medal and, more importantly, a happy Romeo so that’s way more than enough for me.
‘Team GB have a great shot at the medals with two of the best today in Scott and Ben so we will be on the sidelines cheering them on.
‘Thank you to everyone for all the support you have given me and Romeo throughout the Games and making it an experience of a lifetime.’
An overreach injury occurs where a horse’s back hoof striking it’s forelimb. The edge of the hoof or shoe can make sharp contact with one of the horse’s front limbs, causing wounds and lacerations that can be severe or even life threatening injuries.
Horses can often cut into their heel bulbs when running, which can typically sideline the animal for a couple of weeks.
Maher and Brash will still compete at the jumping final at 9.00am BST, wiht Maher looking to retain his gold medal title in the individual event having clinched victory in a six-way jump-off in Tokyo 2020.
Charles and Romeo 88 delivered a perfect round during the equestrian team event, while Maher jumped through with one penalty and Brash also delivered a near flawless performance with just one time sanction.
It was a first gold medal for Charles, though, who admitted his delight at his and his team’s performance during the event.
Charles (centre) took gold alongside Ben Maher (left) and Scott Brash (right) in the team jumps
Charles is also dating Apple founder Steve Jobs’ daughter, Eve, who was seen supporting him last week
The 26-year-old daughter of late Apple founder Steve and billionaire investor Laurene Powell Jobs took to her Instagram account on Friday to celebrate her partner’s win
Eve posted a clip of Charles running over to give her a hug and a kiss after claiming gold on her Instagram
Charles had thanked his family and friends for the support they’d given him in Paris before Eve commented: ‘love love love you!!!’ to which Harry, 25, replied: ‘i loooove you!!’
Eve (left) and Charles (second left) posed with several of his family after he sealed gold
Eve has been pictured with several of Charles’ family and friends out in Paris, who have been supporting the horse rider
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‘I’m pretty speechless, I need a good few hours to reflect,’ Charles said. ‘That was probably the best round of my life at the biggest moment in my career so far.
‘To have me be good and Romeo come through like that on this stage and at this moment – it’s taken a lot to get to this position and I’m really proud of him.’
Following his win on Friday, Charles had also taken to Instagram to thank his family, friends and Romeo 88 for helping him acheive victory to which Eve, his girlfriend replied: ‘Love, love, love you!!!’
He subsequently replied: ‘I looove you.’
Eve, is the youngest daughter of Jobs who passed away in 2011 aged 56. She is a well known model and is signed to the agency DNA Model Management, who also represent Emily Ratajkowski and dutch actress Doutzen Kroes.
Charles admitted that he had been left ‘speechless’ after clinching gold last Friday and ‘needed time to reflect’
Eve (pictured) is an accomplished equestrian who has previously represented Team USA on the global stage
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While it is unclear on where the pair had met, a source told Daily Mail last week: ‘Yes she’s his girlfriend. And he’s sponsored by Hugo Boss. He’s a very lucky young man.
‘Although he did break his wrist just before he got here. I don’t think he’s been dating her very long. She’s here. She’s come to support him.’
