​UAE showjumper Sheikh Ali Al Qassimi was dealt a major blow after his horse Co-Jack died just four weeks before the World Equestrian Games (WEG), which kick off in Normandy on August 23.

The 22-year-old Emirati was set to make his debut in the grand quadrennial Games atop Co-Jack, a 15-year-old bay gelding who competed with Al Qassimi’s brother Majid in the last WEG in Kentucky four years ago.

Al Qassimi had competed with Co-Jack as recently as last month in a show in the Netherlands, but the horse developed paralysis in his lower body and died last week.

Showjumpers qualify to the WEG as a rider-horse combination which means Al Qassimi will not be able to compete in Normandy this month.

Co-Jack has a long history with Al Qassimi’s family and won the silver medal under Sheikh Majid at the 2010 Asian Games.

Representing the UAE at the WEG will be Sheikha Latifa Al Maktoum with Peanuts de Beaufour and Mohammed Al Kumaiti with Pacha du Fort.

In the Endurance discipline, nine UAE riders have qualified and been nominated to take part in the WEG, headlined by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, as well as his son His Highness Sheikh Hamdan, the Dubai Crown Prince.