Story highlights Dutch rider Adelinde Cornelissen quits individual dressage event

Adelinde Cornelissen says she gave up to protect her horse

(CNN) A Dutch dressage rider's Olympic dream is over after her horse fell victim to an insect bite at Rio 2016.

Adelinde Cornelissen shocked fans by quitting the Games mid-test after her horse Parzival contracted a fever the day before the event.

Cornelissen and Parzival, who won individual silver and team bronze together at London 2012, retired from the individual Grand Prix Wednesday after only a handful of movements.

And it's likely to have been Parzival's final Olympic performance because the Dutch warmblood gelding is 19 years old.

Cornelissen took to Facebook and explained she pulled out of the Games over concern for Parzival's welfare.