The U.S.lost a potential star when Tamie Smith withdrew Mai Baum from contention for the US Eventing team at the Paris Olympics this summer just before the team was named.

Tamra Smith Mai Baum at 2023 Kentucky 5* (Photo by Sarah Miller)
Mai Baum,, who won last year's Kentucky 5* Three-Day Event, pulled away from his groom before this year's Kentucky Event and was hurt, so Smith withdrew him from that Event.

Smith now says that she hasn't got enough time to prepare him before the  mandatory team outing at Stable View on June 21-23.

England's Horse and Hound quoted Smith on the withdrawal.

“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,” said Tamie last week.

“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.”

Along with Smith's and Mai Baum's win at last year''s Kentucky 5*, they were the alternates for the US team at the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo, ninth at Badminton Horse Trials and were a member of the U.S. team that won a silver medal at the World Championships in 2022.