Following a meeting of the Appeal Committee – Jumping held at Sha Tin at 4pm on 18 August 2008, the Appeal Committee has upheld the objections of seven national teams as to the eligibility of John Whitaker to jump in the second round of the Team Competition – Jumping. The Chef de Mission of the Great Britain Team has been informed that John Whitaker is not eligible to compete in the second round, and also therefore in the final.

The sequence of events was as follows:

• John Whitaker (GBR) withdrew from the first round of the team competition - Jumping held on Sunday, 17 August 2008.
• The Ground Jury met this morning (Monday 18 August 2008) at 11am and further to a request by the GBR team, decided in favour of allowing John Whitaker to compete in the second round.
• All teams were immediately informed of the Ground Jury’s decision.
• Subsequently and within the allowed timescale, seven of the nine teams competing lodged a protest to the Ground Jury.
• The Ground Jury considered the protest and upheld its earlier decision at 3 pm this afternoon.
• In accordance with the rules and following due process, the seven teams formally launched an appeal to the Appeal Committee.
• The Appeal Committee met and their decision is given above.

Article 264.4 of the FEI Rules for Jumping Events (Nations Cup) is set out below:

4.1. A full Nations Cup team comprises four competitors each riding the same horse throughout the competition. All members of each team must take part in the first round, except as stated in paragraph 4.2 below and in paragraph 7.2.

4.2. If a team, comprising four competitors, cannot improve its placing in the first or second round after its third competitor has completed his course, the fourth competitor may be withdrawn.