THE IRISH Olympic show jumping team suffered a devastating blow yesterday when Captain John Ledingham's intended ride, Kilbaha, was withdrawn from the squad. Double Hickstead Derby winner Kilbaha was found to have a temperature and be suffering from a bout of shipping sickness prior to departing from Stan stead airport en route to Atlanta last Saturn day, and did not travel on veterinary advice.

The horse was returned to his base at show jumper Robert Smith's yard nearby, and Ledingham travelled over to assess his condition on Monday. Further investigation and endoscopic examination revealed infection in the 13-year-old horse's lungs, and a decision was taken yesterday to withdraw him from the squad.

"There had been a slight chance that we could have flown him out to Atlanta next Saturday, but the vet was not happy with this, and the horse's welfare is utmost," explained Colonel Ned Campion Ledingham's commanding officer at McKee Barracks.

Campion, who is chef d'equipe to the show jumping squad, will still make the trip to Atlanta to spearhead the Irish campaign. Ledingham's place on the squad has gone to Georgia-based Irish rider Damien Gardiner, who will ride the stallion, Arthos. Gardiner makes his Olympic debut alongside Eddie Macken, Peter Charles and Jessica Chesney.

Kilbaha, meanwhile, is being treated with antibiotics, and Campion is optimistic that he will be back to full health in time to line out for Ireland's defence of the Aga Khan Nations Cup at the Kerrygold Horse Show next month.

This is the second serious setback the Irish squad has suffered in the last-minute run up to Altanta, with Macken having to withdraw his number one horse, Miss FAN, last week due to injury problems. He is now planning to rely on his second-string, Schalkhaar.