According to a report on Equestrian Sports New Zealand’s website, recently-appointed high performance eventing manager Canadian Graeme Thom has been forced to resign following the severe flare-up of an old back injury and doctor’s advice warning that extensive travel is not recommended.

“It is a huge disappointment to me,” Thom told ESNZ. “I don’t wish to put the New Zealand team at risk through me being unable to do my duties at a critical juncture on the road to the 2018 World Equestrian Games.”

Thom had thought his back injury was under control following a spinal operation in December 2015. “I felt reassured that I was free and clear of any revision.”

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