A Canadian equestrian athlete claims she was robbed of a chance to compete at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and blames what she calls the "malicious" and "unethical behaviour" of a Canadian dressage judge whose actions are now being investigated by the sport's governing body, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI).

"I've worked so hard for years and sacrificed so much. It's been a childhood dream" to compete at the Olympics, said Karen Pavicic in an interview with CBC News, her voice cracking as she talked about watching that dream fall apart.

Canada has secured spots for two horse-and-rider teams in the Olympic dressage competition. Until last month, Pavicic, from Surrey, B.C., and her horse Don Daiquiri were one of them. Belinda Trussell of Stouffville, Ont., and her horse Anton, who rank significantly higher in the international rankings, are the other.

Ontario's Megan Lane, of Collingwood, Ont., and her horse Caravella were close behind in third, positioning them as alternates on the team. Megan Lane rides Caravella during the dressage team competition at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Caen, France, on Aug. 26, 2014. It is alleged a Canadian judge exaggerated the marks she awarded Lane at a qualifying event in Canada in June, effectively sending them to the Olympics instead of Karen Pavicic. (Michel Euler/Associated Press)

But, at the final North American qualifying event in June at Cedar Valley near Newmarket, Ont., it is alleged Canadian judge Elizabeth (Libby) McMullen exaggerated the marks she awarded Lane and her horse, effectively moving them into second position by less than five one-hundredths of one per cent.

The scores meant Lane would be going to the Olympics, while Pavicic stays home.

After the competition, Pavicic says she was approached by more than one judge who claimed McMullen had been overheard saying she inflated the marks to give the advantage to Lane.

'They wanted me to be aware'

Pavicic says "they wanted me to be aware".

After initially approaching Equestrian Canada, which claimed it had no jurisdiction over the international event even though it was held in Canada, those who claimed to have overheard the comments (they have not been publicly named), complained to the International Equestrian Federation.

Pavicic also wrote the FEI to say she believes McMullen "personally and maliciously forced the results for the purpose of affecting a team selection process," adding, "I do not need to tell you how unethical and immoral such action is on the part of an accredited FEI official."

But, after examining the scores, the governing body determined that "based on the available evidence and judging analysis, that the results … will stand."

Pavicic then appealed to the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada, which agreed to expedite its ruling, given that the Games start on Aug. 5.

Dick Pound's ruling

Arbitrator Dick Pound determined earlier this month, however, that there was no way of overturning the results if the FEI was unwilling to do so, as the selection criteria simply mandate that the two riders with the most cumulative points be named to the team.

He did, however, say the judge's alleged comments are "very serious and clearly call for further investigation on the part of the FEI."

Contacted by CBC News, the FEI, which is based in Lausanne, Switzerland, stated the investigation is underway and ongoing. It did not say when it will rule on the allegations. Belinda Trussell and her horse Anton, who have the highest international ratings by Canadians in dressage, is heading to the Rio Games. (Canadian Olympic Team)

CBC News reached McMullen by email. She declined to comment, and directed questions to the FEI.

CBC News also reached out to the other judges who were at Cedar Valley that day. Only one has responded to email, referring all comments to the FEI.

Pound indicated Pavicic could appeal to one more body, the ad hoc division of Court of Arbitration for Sport, in Rio. The board hears last-minute appeals of team selection disputes.

But Pavicic would need to pay her own expenses to get to Rio, with no certainty that she would win the appeal. That's a risk she says she can't afford to take, though she says she hasn't made a final decision on what to do.

'The integrity of our sport'

Conceding it's unlikely anything can be done at this late stage, Pavicic said, "I'm more interested in the bigger picture … the integrity of our sport."

Of those who took their complaints to the FEI, Pavicic says, "It takes a lot of courage for anyone to come forward with complaints like this."

The Canadian horses, including Pavicic's horse Don Daiquiri, are already in New York, being readied for their trip to Rio on Aug. 6. Should one of the other horses or riders be unable to go for health reasons, Pavicic and her horse would get to step in.

Though Pavicic says she and her horse are "prepped and ready to go at a moment's notice" she says that's not a fate she wishes on her fellow riders, adding that's not how she dreamed of finally getting to compete at the Olympics.

Read the full Dick Pound ruling