BRITAIN’s 2016 Rio Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin was eliminated after her test in today’s Grand Prix at the FEI European Championships in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Dujardin had just posted a personal best Grand Prix score of 81.91% aboard Mount St John Freestyle to secure the silver medal for Britain. However, the result was quickly changed after blood was discovered on the mare’s flank.

A statement from the FEI said: “Blood was found on the left flank of the horse in the post-competition check. In accordance with article 430.7.6.2 of the FEI dressage rules, this results in elimination.

“Elimination under this rule does not imply there was any intent to injure the horse, but the rules are in place to protect the welfare of all competing horses.”

Dujardin, who won the individual silver medal at last September’s World Equestrian Games, was among the favourites to win another medal this week.

The British team of Charlotte Fry, Gareth Hughes and Carl Hester then slipped to fourth place on a score of 228.991. Germany took the gold medal by a huge margin of almost 15 points ahead of The Netherlands in silver and Sweden finished with bronze.

Meanwhile, Ireland finished in seventh place and secured one of the all-important qualifying places for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Irish dressage team make history in Rotterdam