By Lizzie Greenwood-Hughes

Arko is the second top horse to be ruled out for Hong Kong

Nick Skelton and his top horse Arko III are the latest British show jumping pair to be written off for Olympic selection.

They came 11th at the last games in Athens and were on the long list of possible combinations to go to Hong Kong this summer.

"Taking into account both Arko's stud duties as a stallion and veterinary advice, we agreed it wouldn't be fair to target him for the Olympic Games," Team GB's show jumping performance manager Derek Ricketts told BBC Sport.

"We had to make a long-term decision now and it's better to be safe."

Team GB's bosses still have several top horse and rider combinations available for Olympic selection Lizzie Greenwood-Hughes

David McPherson's European bronze medal winning horse - Pilgrim - was sold to Norway late last year.

The British Equestrian Federation's performance director, Will Connell was unsure whether Arko would have made the Hong Kong trip.

"There was never any guarantee Arko would have been selected for Hong Kong but he is very good horse," said Connell.

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Skelton, 50, is one of Britain's most experienced international competitors, but he has never won an Olympic medal.

He is currently away in Florida and unavailable for comment but is said to be disappointed.

Team GB's bosses still have several top horse and rider combinations available for Olympic selection.

They include brothers John and Michael Whitaker and their niece Ellen Whitaker, who were all part of the European bronze medal winning team last summer.

606: DEBATE With Arko out of the running, who are your top GB show jumping prospects for the Olympics?

The team will be announced in June.