Gilles Thomas's Ermitage Kalone Will Not Compete in the World Championships in Aachen
One of the favorites is out of the World Championships on the course
from Dominique Wehrmann 
The World Championship dream is over for Ermitage Kalone and Gilles Thomas, pictured here at the Riesenbeck Grand Prix.
Photo: sportfotos-lafrentz.de As Gilles Thomas announced on social media, he and his top horse, Ermitage Kalone, will not be competing at the World Championships in Aachen. The stallion sustained an injury after the Grand Prix in Riesenbeck. The pair was one of only six to complete the first round of the Global Champions Tour leg in Riesenbeck without any faults. However, they did not compete in the jump-off. As European team champions and bronze medalists in the individual competition, they were considered favorites for the World Championships in Aachen.
Thomas: “After the Grand Prix in Riesenbeck, Ermitage suffered an injury. Further examination showed that it would not be advisable to enter him in the World Championships. His health and well-being always come first, no matter how difficult this decision may be.”
However, he also admitted that this decision was indeed a difficult one: “The disappointment is immense. This World Championship was our big goal, and the form we showed in La Baule and Riesenbeck over the past few weeks gave us a lot of confidence and motivation heading into Aachen.”
He’s rooting for his teammates.
Belgium had nominated ten pairs for the World Championships. Now the following remain:
- Niels Bruynseels with Origi vd Vosberg
- Emilie Conter with Portobella and the Fruit Basket
- Pieter Devos with Casual DV Z
- Nicola Philippaerts with Katanga van het Dingeshof
- Abdel Said with Quaker Brimbelles Z
- Thibeau Spits on Impress-K van’t Kattenheye Z
- Roy van Beek with Cavoiro-H OLD
- Annelies Vorsselmans with Trezeguet
- Gregory Wathelet with Bond Jamesbond de Hay
