Spanish Olympian’s horse clears 2nd veterinary inspection

Spanish Olympic rider Alberto Hermoso’s horse passed a secondary veterinary review on Friday following a shoe separation.

Hermoso’s mount, Hito, is fully fit to compete on Saturday despite suffering some minor sprains, equestrian team leader Pedro Rey said at Rio de Janeiro’s Deodoro Sports Complex.

Hito was placed in a holding box after the initial inspection, but cleared a second review, Rey said.

The International Equestrian Federation said 74 horses passed their veterinary tests in preparation for the start of the Olympic dressage competition on Saturday.

Crosscountry team and individual events will take place Sunday and jumping is set for the following day.

Fourteen teams will compete in the three categories: Germany, Australia, Brazil, Canada, U.S., France, Britain, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Netherlands, Russia, Switzerland and Sweden.

Individual competitions will feature competitors from those countries and from Belgium, Belarus, Chile, China, Ecuador, Spain, Finland, Japan, Puerto Rico and Zimbabwe.