In a statement made via her social media page, Tamie Smith announced that Mai Baum will sadly not be in contention for this years Olympic Games but that his progress and return to form has been moving in a positive direction; with the hope of a return to competition in the Autumn.
“Leading into a much anticipated Olympic Team Selection next week and after deliberating with our team and Mai Baum’s owners, we have decided to withdraw him from team consideration. This was a difficult decision because we have felt Mai Baum would have contributed positively to the Team had he been selected. Since his setback leading into Kentucky, there is not adequate time remaining for preparation and conditioning for him to be in top form for the team mandatory outing in a few short weeks. We are obviously disappointed, but always have his best interest at heart and will be looking to aim him for an exciting fall competition.”
Tamra “Tamie” Smith is a prominent U.S. eventer. She won Gold with the U.S. Eventing Team at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima with Ellen and Alexandra Ahearn and Eric Markell’s German Sport Horse, Mai Baum. In 2021, Smith took Mai Baum to a top-10 finish in his CCI5*-L debut at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event and were later named as reserves for the Tokyo Olympics.
Smith has represented the U.S. in FEI Nations Cup competitions, including the CCIO4*-S at CHIO Aachen with Mai Baum and the CCIO4*-L at Boekelo, both in 2021.
In 2022, she finished ninth at the Badminton Horse Trials, contributed to a U.S. team silver at the FEI Eventing World Championships, and won the Morven Park CCI4*-L.
The following year Tamie and Mai Baum achieved a historic win at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, marking the first U.S. win since 2008.
Representing your country is an honour achieved by very few, but one thing will always take precedence over team selection: the team of you and your horse. We wish Tamie and Mai Baum all the best. Team USA just gained one heck of a cheer squad!
