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Olympian pulls out of Games to protect horse’s health

[From Facebook]

A Dutch equestrian who made it all the way to Rio has decided to back out of the Olympics in order to focus on her horse’s health.

Adelinde Cornelissen documented her journey to the 2016 Olympics on her Facebook page. She and her horse Parzival were set to compete in dressage, a stylized riding competition.

“The first days in Rio went according to plan: a relaxed flight, stabling good, training good,” she wrote. “Parzival feels happy and fit.”

Although things started off on the right hoof, they quickly took a turn for the worse. Parzival, the prize-winning horse who had won medals at the London Olympics, suffered an insect bit, which lead to swelling and a fever. After being tended to by veterinarians, Pazival seemed to be doing better.

Cornelissen slept in the stables and checked on her horse every hour. After vets assured her that Pazival was fine to compete, Cornelissen made her way to the arena. However, she noticed right away that her horse’s energy was off.

“When I entered, I already felt he was giving his utmost,” she wrote. “Being the fighter he is, he never gives up.”

Despite Pazival’s determination, Cornelissen made the decision to back out of the competition.

“In order to protect him, I gave up,” she wrote. “My buddy, my friend, the horse that has given everything for me his whole life does not deserve this … So I saluted and left the arena.”

Cornelissen’s post was flooded with words of encouragement and praise for her decision.

“What a magnificent person, to honour the life of this animal,” wrote Marianne Robbins. “In the end, what is a medal compared to the precious life and well being of such a beautiful creature.”