Hester's hopes for a fourth Olympic appearance have been dashed (Getty)

Sark dressage rider Carl Hester has been ruled out contention for Team GB for the Beijing 2008 Olympics Games.

Vets examined his horse Lecantos at the Rotterdam international show on Friday morning and advised him to pull out of the competition.

It is the second blow to Hester's Olympic hopes in less than 10 days, after his other horse Dolendo was also ruled out due to injury.

Hester has ridden at three previous games in Barcelona, Sydney and Athens.

It Is a bitter pill to swallow for Hester, who looked poised to make a fourth Olympic appearance.

His best individual position was 13th at the Athens games while he has twice been part of the GB team which finished seventh at the Athens and Barcelona Games.