Carl Hester’s new dressage sensation Uthopia will not campaign for the World Equestrian Games later this year, British Dressage have reported. The nine-year-old dark bay stallion by Metall has been off work for a couple of months with a mild injury. Although back in training now he will not compete in the summer internationals this year.

Carl Hester commented: “The vets advised us it would be touch and go whether Uthopia would be ready in time to campaign for WEG. He’s a young horse and we decided we didn’t want to hurry his return to fitness. Our main aim with this horse has always been the London Olympic Games in 2012, I don’t want to rush anything now and jeopardise that goal.”

Team GB are exempt from competing at WEG to qualify for 2012. As the host nation, Brits qualify automatically for the competition. In the meantime Carl Hester has been temporarily reunited with Liebling II, a 13-year-old Holstein gelding by Lorentin who was part of Britain's team silver medal-winning effort in Windsor last August. The ride was  sold to Canadian Cheryl Meisner in 2010, but the ride has been lent to Carl. He plans to compete at Hartpury and Hickstead CDI’s later this month in the hope of keeping his WEG 2010 team selection hopes afloat.