It was one of the hardest moments to watch in the Tokyo Olympics when first our own Natalya Coyle and then the German Annika Schleu saw their medal prospects by two horses which they had only been introduced to 20 minutes before entering the arena.
Now it appears that the backlash from such a random way to round out an elite sport will force it to be dropped.
That is a major step for the UIPM to take, given that the sport was originally modelled on the skills you would need to be a cavalry officer, but it looks as though by the time that Paris comes around that the running, shooting, fencing and swimming events will be added to by a test on the two wheels of a bike rather than the four legs of a horse.
Natalya Coyle was in fourth place after the first three events but her steed Constantin, who had already proven to be truculent under another rider, refused on a number of occasions and saw her drop to 19th place.
It was a cruel end to her long and successful Olympic career.
The sport is an example of the changes that are often demanded by a viewing public with what was originally an event over five days, being mooted now as one taking place in a single session for Paris.
The organisation has refused to confirm or deny that the decision has been taken and a statement is expected later this week according to Olympic Sport based news service InsideTheGames.
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