Irish Olympic dressage rider Abi Lyle has withdrawn her horse Giraldo from selection for the Irish team at the 2026 World Championships in Aachen, Germany.
Lyle announced the decision on July 7 after careful consideration. She described it as a personal choice that brings relief and emphasized that both she and the horse remain fit with no underlying issues.
In a statement, Lyle wished the remaining Irish riders well and said she plans to continue training and competing while prioritizing the well-being of her horses. She thanked supporters including Horse Sport Ireland and trainers Carl Hester, Gareth Hughes, and Mark McVicar.
Lyle had been Ireland’s leading combination this season with an average score of 68.39 percent. The remaining nominated riders are Kevin Acres, Alex Baker, James Connor, and Jess Dunn. Ireland will field a full team at the championships for the first time since 2023.