The Olympics has finished in agony for the Whitaker brothers from Huddersfield.

Following Team GB’s disappointment in crashing out in the first round and John, 60, failing to make today’s individual stage , Michael Whitaker has now had to withdraw.

He and his mount, Cassianato, qualified in 42nd place for today’s individual event but will not take part in Rio.

After showing colic symptoms, the decision has been taken to withdraw Cassionato from the competition.

GBR Jumping Performance Manager, Di Lampard, said: “Obviously we’re all very, very disappointed for Michael and owners Gary and Beverley Widdowson.

Michael Whitaker rides Cassionato in the Rio event

“Cassionato is being treated in the veterinary clinic and is in very good hands. It just shows the effort the horse put into the round.”

Nick Skelton and Ben Maher, who both won gold in London, will both compete in today’s third-round qualifier.

After the team disappointment, in which they picked up five penalties and nine in total for 42nd, Michael Whitaker, 56, explained: “I was slow coming into the water jump which makes it harder but normally with him [Cassionato] you could nearly trot to it and he’d jump it.

“He really spooked at the combination and I had to try to give him one with the stick but I dropped it. He was over jumping if anything and then after the combination he actually jumped much better and the second half was much better than the first.

“The combination comes quickly out of the first corner and you haven’t really got into a rhythm yet so I think that’s why it has caused problems.

“I think at moment we’re all slightly deflated to put it mildly. But these things happen. Nick’s horse shouldn’t do it, mine shouldn’t do it and John’s was disappointing.”

John, who had 23 penalties to finish 57th riding Ornellaia, with the top 45 progressing to the individual, commented: “She started off quite well. One, two and three were quite good and felt confident. I had actually had a good distance coming into the combination but at the last minute she just pulled up.

“I don’t know whether it was the colours or what. Sometimes she has a look at number one but once she’s over she’s usually flying. No excuses though.

“I had to put a lot of pressure on her to jump the second time and at that point I knew I couldn’t improve the score so it was about getting round.”