Stockdale slams shameful rivals for kicking Whitaker into touch

Showjumper Tim Stockdale today slammed Olympic rivals for preventing John Whitaker from competing for Great Britain on the final day of the team showjumping final.

Having started yesterday in fourth and well placed for a medal, Britain ended up finishing seventh behind the USA, Canada and Norway.

But the event was overshadowed by an eligibility row which meant Britain were unable to use four riders after Whitaker and his horse, Peppermill, were kicked out of the competition.

Teams are allowed four riders with only the three best scores counting towards the total and, although Whitaker had been unable to ride on Sunday due to a problem with Peppermill, they were expected to be allowed in to the crucial final day.

But seven of the nine teams protested to the International Equestrian Federation's appeal committee who ruled out the Huddersfield-born rider.

Stockdale said: "It is unsporting and is not in the concept of the Olympics. Some people should hang their heads in shame. Perhaps they saw it as an opportunity to get John out of the competition."